Cambridge University’s Solar Racing Car
makes successful maiden test drive

Cambridge University’s solar-powered racing car has been put through its paces for the first time with a maiden test-drive.


The car made its debut on the test track at Ford’s Dunton Technical Centre. It was the only full test-drive it will have in Britain before it travels to the other side of the globe to take part in the Global Green Challenge - a 3,000km race across the Australian outback this autumn.

Named “Endeavour“, the car has been designed by Cambridge University Eco-Racing, a student team based at the University’s Department of Engineering. The test drive gave journalists and sponsors a chance to experience for themselves its cutting-edge sustainable engineering, aerodynamics and electrical efficiency.

The vehicle, which is one of many projects marking the University’s 800th anniversary this year, has already won the praise of Formula 1 driver Jenson Button, who unveiled it at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year and praised its “impressive” design.

Endeavour’s chassis is an aluminium spaceframe with a 6m² covering of high-efficiency silicon cells that capture energy from the sun. Underneath, the car is an ultra-efficient electric vehicle which designers believe could provide a model for future technological developments in green living. It can run at 60mph on the same power as a hairdryer, meaning that it requires 50% less power than a normal, petrol-fuelled vehicle.

The Global Green Challenge will take place from 25-31 October. During the race, four student drivers will pilot the car in four-hour shifts using an advanced cruise-control system which will automatically adjust the speed according to road conditions and weather forecasts.


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The students have raised the money to support the venture entirely by themselves. Current sponsors include Cambridge Precision and HP, but more support is needed. Sponsorship packages are still available at all levels and interested parties should visit www.cuer.co.uk/sponsorship or e-mail sponsorship@cuer.co.uk to find out more. Individuals interested in supporting the project can join the Friends of CUER scheme at www.cuer.co.uk/donate

CUER previously designed a prototype vehicle “Affinity” which was driven from John O’Groats in June 2008 making it the only solar car to have driven legally on UK roads. The team aims to uncover the possibilities of sustainable engineering whilst developing their own technology in order to lower carbon emissions.

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