Europe continues its domination of solar challenge – full results

Feature articles | October 28, 2023

By Nick Flaherty

Automotive Energy Harvesting

Belgian Solar Team Innoptus has won the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge title for the second time, continuing the European domination of the event.

The time of 34 hours, 4 minutes, and 41 seconds to cross Australia in a solar powered car was 48 minutes faster than their 2019 win.

The aerodynamic design of the Infinite vehicle with a fin for stability led the field all the way in the Projecta Challenger Class.

The team crossed ahead of Team Twente from the Netherlands with RED X, which at times had been within minutes and shared NRMA Control stops together. RED X celebrated second place with a time of 34 hours, 24 minutes, 58 seconds.

Their compatriots, Brunel in Nuna 12 arrived in Adelaide around two hours later, to take third place. US team Michigan in Astrum came in fourth.

German team Sonnenwagen from Germany in Covestro Adelie were forced to retire south of Port Augusta.

• Europe leads in Bridgestone solar challenge
• Bridgestone Solar Challenge: Day 2 

“This professional, innovative, and passionate team have always been strong competitors,” said Event Director Chris Selwood of the Innoptus Solar Team. “Their hard work has paid off. They have competed in this event nine times, and they now have the ultimate reward.”

In the CSIRO Cruiser Class, wind was also a factor, with none of the teams able to complete the arduous second stage, the first time this has happened in the history of the class.

All the Cruiser teams had the opportunity to take a full recharge at the designated charging station at Coober Pedy.

Leading the charge on energy efficiency points, Australia’s Sunswift 7, was the first, followed by US Minnesota team in Gaia in second place on the points tally.

‘The teams in this event are testing cutting edge technology, often not in market and driving beyond the range of current electric vehicles. To win the Cruiser Class takes a combination of strategic energy management, endurance and more than a little style. These solar electric cars designed to bring the green to the mainstream have never been about being first across the line. Judging for the cruisers combines the on-road component, which will now be calculated from the first stage, followed by the practicality judging tomorrow’ Chris said.

A panel of international adjudicators scored each entry based on design innovation, environmental impact, ease of access, interior comfort, style, and desirability.

The full results:

Previous years of the solar challenge

• European teams dominate solar car challenge
• German startup wins solar challenge

worldsolarchallenge.org/

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