When UniSA built its first solar car, it was named Ned, after Ned Kelly, because the driver peered out through a narrow slit. The full name was Ned 26, because the driver’s head was 2.6 metres from the nose of the car. We also had designs for a Ned 24 and a Ned 28, but Ned 26 had the most appealing side profile. You can see photographs of Ned on the UniSA web site.

The name “Ned” was very successful—people recognised the car, and remembered the name.

When we had almost finished building our commuter car, we had to choose a name and a colour. We wanted a name that would be memorable, Australian, and might stand for something. Bev (Battery Electric Vehicle) was in common use, and Nev (No-Emissions Vehicle) might have been confused with a slow Neighbourhood Electric Vehicle. So we went with Trev—Two-seater Renewable Energy Vehicle.

We also had to pick a colour. Trev had been red throughout the design process. But red is a combustion colour. Faced with a book of colour samples, we picked the colour that would let us have the slogan “Trev. It’s green.”

Thanks for your suggestion. We have changed the information box at the top right of every page so that the name “Trev” links to the About Trev page, which explains the name.

This site is expanding (have only just looked at the comments and replies) through some interest and more people say they have either seen Trev on TV or heard about it.

However – I’d like to see in the info section at right of each page – how Trev was named, as I believe the last 2 letters refer to electric vehicle.

Am I right ? If so it should be pointed out repeatedly and will help everyone remember Trev!

Thanks for sharing, you held the group enthralled for over an hour, a great feat.

Go Team Trev