September 11, 2013

Waikato electric car to race the length of Australia



Last night a group of University of Waikato mechanical engineering students unveiled their masterpiece – an electric car they will race 3000km from Darwin to Adelaide over six days next month.

Refurbishment

The team has been working on the refurbishment of the car for the last six months in preparation for the 2013 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge which begins in Darwin on 6 October.

The UltraCommuter car was unveiled at an exclusive event at the University’s Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, before its trans-Tasman journey to Darwin later this week, ahead of the team.

The University’s electric car was built in 2007. Its latest refurbishment has included reformatting of the suspension system and upgrading control systems, brakes and the body shell.