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Students from four faculties of the University of West Bohemia have unveiled the third electric formula racing car developed at the university. This year’s single-seater was designed to reduce weight and improve aerodynamics. The university’s first electric formula car was built for the 2024 season. Before that, the team had always competed with a combustion-engine vehicle.

This summer, the team will compete in races in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Poland. Success depends on both static and dynamic events. “The competition is not judged solely on speed on the race track. Teams are also evaluated on the quality of the design, the vehicle’s technical level, the presentation of the project before an expert jury, and the economic aspects of the overall concept, including a business plan,” said Radek Povišer, team leader from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering.

The development of the formula car, therefore, involves a wide range of activities, from design engineering and component manufacturing to electronics, programming, marketing, and cooperation with partners. Students design and manufacture many of the components themselves. “Our goal this year was to reduce the weight of the pedals. They used to weigh almost five kilograms; now they weigh just over three. We also built a new front wing that should significantly improve aerodynamics,” explained Teodor Pech from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. “The battery is also 25 percent lighter this year, and we have sped up its pre-charging process. Previously, it took ten seconds after switching on the ignition before we could drive off. Now it is practically instantaneous,” added Michal Drahokoupil from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering.

Another new development this year is the start of work on an autonomous-driving system for the Formula car, bringing greater involvement from students in the Faculty of Applied Sciences. “For us, this means developing software entirely from scratch that will enable the car to recognize its surroundings, make its own decisions about where to drive, and communicate that information to other subsystems,” explained Ondřej Gaman from the Faculty of Applied Sciences, who has just begun working with his colleagues on the driverless system. The team aims to complete it by 2028.

“The student formula project is one of the best examples of how theoretical knowledge can be connected with practical experience. Students gain skills that go far beyond standard classroom teaching. They learn how to design, engineer, manufacture, solve problems, and work together in an interdisciplinary team,” said Jan Váně, Vice-Rector for External Relations and Communication at the University of West Bohemia. According to him, projects of this kind prepare graduates for their future professional careers.

The public will have several opportunities to see the formula car at university events. “We will showcase this year’s car, for example, at the University of West Bohemia Day in the center of Pilsen in September, at the Night of Science on the university campus, and later in January during the University Open Day,” said Tereza Fialová from the Faculty of Economics.

With the new car, the team hopes to build on its success in the 2024 season, when it finished third in Portugal. Last year, the UWB e02 completed all events of Formula SAE Italy and finished 16th overall in a highly competitive European field. The team also ranked among the top ten in the Skidpad, Endurance, and Efficiency disciplines.

Photos by Isabela Jáchim