Our mission: No emission
For a few years now, a team of highly motivated students from RWTH Aachen University and FH Aachen has been working on the question of how to make electric mobility even more sustainable. Their goal is to develop a solar-powered electric car to take part in the toughest solar car races in the world. After the successful initial participation at the World Solar Challenge in Australia in 2017 as "Best Newcomer" and the achievement at the European Solar Challenge 2018, the team now wants to take the next step based on the accumulated experience and take part in the World Solar Challenge 2019.
As a first step on the way to Australia, the Sonnenwagen team has already successfully mastered the European Solar Challenge on the former Formula 1 race track in Zolder, Belgium. The aim of the race is not only to cover the greatest possible distance within 24 hours, but also to score points with innovations in vehicle development, the most constant 8-lap times and the fastest lap driven. The focus here is on the idea of sustainability and, above all, the most efficient use of energy. The Sonnenwagen team was able to finish the toughest 24-hour race for solar vehicles in third place in the Challenger class.
In addition, two members of the association won with an electric car now three years in a row at the e-CROSS Germany, a four-day, climate-neutral rally through North Rhine-Westphalia. Besides achievements at several racing events, the team can proudly look back on different honors like the nomination for the German design award for ecological ideas and being part of the „1000 steps into the future“ of the KlimaExpo NRW, which will represent projects and ideas in order to advance climate protection.
With the World Solar Challenge 2019 in sight, the young team is already in development of the Sonnenwagen 2.0 and tests various possibilities to become first, reaching Adelaide in the World Solar Challenge in October 2019. In order to ensure this the Sonnenwagen has not only to become faster, but especially more efficient. During the endurance race the team has to master at least 500km per day to reach the checkpoints on the way from the north in Darwin to the very south in Adelaide. 3,022km through the outback without relying on outlets requires not only a very light, but also a robust solar car to master the heat and dirt on the Stuart highway. While relying on technological standards of the future, the most efficient materials and the knowledge of great sponsors, Team Sonnenwagen Aachen is very optimistic that they can not only compete but beat the very best teams of the world down the road past Ayers Rock.
One thing is for sure: Their story goes on and you can be excited about their future!
To get some insight into the success story of the team, you can watch their image video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPCZ00DTxeo
The team builds on strong cooperations with partners in the industry and research institutes across the world. If you are interested in becoming part of the success story of the team, you can visit their website for further information and various contacts: www.sonnenwagen.org