The UCT Department of Electrical Engineering responded to a call to create an introductory course on New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) for the staff of Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM). The final course was comprised of eight modules aimed at self-learning for TSAM plant employees, utilising their internal Learning Management System (LMS). The modules covered NEV types, history, key technologies including motors and batteries, upcoming infrastructure requirements, drivers, barriers, and the likely key skills required for the future EV workforce. In August, a departmental team, of staff and a student, presented a Train-the-Trainer course to TSAM’s various departmental training facilitators in Prospecton, eThekwini south. The training was well received and will hopefully lead to further opportunities.

A large part of the work was undertaken by Aadil Eyasim, an MSc(Eng) student who is developing a sensor-integrated regenerative braking system for electric vehicles. This project aims to enhance energy recovery by leveraging real-time road condition awareness through multi-sensor integration.

Aadil carries a deep passion for NEVs and is strongly committed to advancing electric vehicle technologies. He also serves as the Team Principal of UCT’s first Formula Student Africa (FSA) racing team, leading a multidisciplinary team focused on the design and development of an electric formula student vehicle. Another MSc(Eng) student, Munashe Jambawo also contributed to the course material. He was also part of the early FSA team as electrical engineering lead, contributing to CAN networks and low/high-voltage subsystem design. He currently explores inverter-based systems in microgrids, renewable energy engineering, and sustainable energy technologies. The project was led by Associate Professor David Oyedokun, and managed by Richard Larmour, both from the Department of Electrical Engineering.