Everything is ready! In two weeks Cambria, EAFIT´s solarpowered electric car competes at the former Formula 1 racetrack of Circuit Zolder (Belgium), in the Ilumen European Challenge. The competition will be a continuous 24-hour race for vehicles to face an endurance test in which they will have to demonstrate the greatest possible autonomy in which to triumph.
During the 24-hour race event, which will take place from the 24th to the 25th of September, vehicles will be allowed to make two one-hour stops for battery charging, if needed, and for drivers' stints during the demanding full-day competition.
With a capacity of 3 people, 50 -horse power, an approximate weight of 500 kilograms, and 4 independent engines, one on each wheel, the solar-powered electric car reaches between 60 and 70 kilometers per hour cruise speed, points out Jorge Andrés Barrera Velásquez, EAFIT researcher.
"Our objective is to obtain an important result in the Ilumen European Challenge since we are the only Latin-American team that will compete in this race", states professor Barrera. The car idea, preparation and building was the team work of various EAFIT faculty, and students from the schools of Engineering, Administration, Humanities and Law.
Angélica Rodríguez Naranjo, a student of Product Design Engineering, explains that building the car was a very enriching experience since "going through the different stages and applying the knowledge learnt throughout our studies has become a unique experience which we expect will have good results in Belgium".
Likewise, David Castro Fandiño, also a Product Design student, states that the last several weeks have been the busiest in preparing the car since "we have worked on the molds, suspension, chassis and the assembly which have required the participation and commitment of the whole team."
More than just the competition
The solar-powered electric car was not just designed for the Ilumen European Challenge. This vehicle was built so that it can be used by anyone and this is why "anyone as tall as 2 meters can fit into this car. Its design meets the technical and mechanical requirements to be driven either on the streets of Medellin or any other city in the world", says professor Barrera, who adds that the idea is to get people closer to a more day-to-day use and friendlier car and to experience a more commercial design.
The team members are working on the car to be ready to compete and represent EAFIT and Colombia in this race.
For more information contact:
Alejandro Gómez Valencia
Journalist - EAFIT Information and Press
Phone: 2619500 Ext. 9931
Electronic Email: jgomez97@eafit.edu.co