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TUfast Eco

The mobility of the future

OKW Gehäusesysteme supports the development of energy-efficient vehicles to make sustainable energy concepts possible

The TUfast Eco team at the Technical University of Munich consists of 26 students from different faculties who have set themselves the goal of developing energy-efficient vehicles. In this project, alternative drive concepts such as solar power, biofuel, hydrogen and electric power are compared with each other to find the best substitute for fossil fuels. For more than 5 years now, the team has designed and produced one new prototype per year. The concept is being further optimised through continuous adaptation. The experience gained from all of the previous vehicles is incorporated in the new vehicle concept. In May 2015, for the first time, they came first in the prototype class of the Shell Eco-marathon Europa with their eLi15, as well as in the EducEco Challenge, which takes place in France.

Driving the car in races means extreme stress on all materials and equipment used. The requirements to be met by our enclosure were: low weight, watertight up to IP66, non-inflammable and robust. The decision was taken in favour of the OKW SMART-BOX made of PC + ASA. The electronics installed there measure the energy consumed, regulate the voltage, monitor the temperature and store the telemetry of the car.

As far as energy efficiency is concerned, the vehicle relies on the rigorous application of lightweight construction principles using carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFP). This allows a total weight of 26 kg. Power transmission is effected by a chain drive with a freewheel, which significantly reduces losses caused by rolling resistance. On account of rule changes that took effect at the beginning of the 2016 season, solar energy, which had been used up to then, was no longer allowed. Importance was therefore attached to greater efficiency and reliability of the electric motor, in order to achieve a good range nonetheless.

We wish the TUfast Eco-Team much success when they take part in the Shell Eco-marathon this year. The European competition takes place in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London from 30 June to 3 July 2016.

Impressions

TUfast Eco - Mobility of the future TUfast Eco TUfast Eco - Team TUfast Eco