Solar Team Eindhoven is ready for this year’s challenge: prove that cars can be a part of the solution in the energy transition, instead of being the problem. Solar Team Eindhoven’s first family solar car named Stella, which was built in 2013, proved that solar cars can be fossil fuel independent. This year the team expands their vision to take on mobility as a whole.
TU Eindhoven Solar Team's Stella
They have committed themselves to prove that cars can be more than just a means of transportation. This has resulted in a design for a new solar car that takes another step in energy-efficient mobility and moves towards a future where life is powered by the sun.
Since last September, the 26 students have been working full time on the design of the fourth solar-powered family car of Solar Team Eindhoven. The team is continuously working on the challenges they encounter; challenges caused both by striving for their own goal to develop innovative features and the new regulations imposed by the Cruiser Class of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. The Challenge will cover the same distance, but instead of permission to charge every night, the participants may only charge at two stops. This means that the solar-powered family cars have to be able to cover a distance of 1200 km on a single charge. Also, the practicality score will determine half of the final score of the competing teams. Both these changes in the regulations and the new concept for the solar car make it an exciting and promising year for the team.
Photo by: Solar team Eindhoven
The team’s vision and the requirements have resulted in a final design, which made them ready for production! Solar Team Eindhoven started their production on the 1st of March at their new production location at the Brainport Industries Campus (BIC). The BIC is a brand-new community where innovative high-tech companies and organizations join forces, which makes it a unique collaboration. For the first time since the foundation of Solar Team Eindhoven in 2012, the solar car will be produced entirely in Eindhoven, opening up many opportunities for the team.
On the fourth of July 2019, Solar Team Eindhoven will present their new solar car to the public. But before we get there, there is still much to do. Unexpected challenges await the team, which they are motivated to overcome to achieve their set goals. In the coming months, they will work hard on presenting an innovative solution for the energy transition and defending their world title in Australia. To make this possible, the team is looking for sponsors and has started a crowdfunding campaign. For the same amount of money you spend on refueling your car once, you could contribute to a future where you’d never have to.
Become part of the new car via Solar Team Eindhoven Crowdfunding
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