Delhi Engineering Students Design Low-Carbon Electric Car

One of the key climate action solutions is inventing new technologies and finding more efficient ways of using energy to transition to a lower-carbon world. Working towards this goal, a team of engineering students of Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women have designed an energy-efficient, low-carbon electric prototype car that will run on a lithium-ion battery. The car is equipped with detachable steering and designed with the best possible aerodynamic shape to reduce air resistance, thereby delivering better mileage. 

Named Aethon, the all-women student team will be showcasing the car in the Shell Eco-marathon part of the Make the Future Live India 2019 to be held at the Shell Technology Centre Bangalore (STCB) between November 19 to 22, 2019. They will be participating in the battery-electric category. The team will compete with other students from different colleges and universities to design, build, test and drive the world’s most energy-efficient vehicles.

The prototype has been inspired by the urgent need to address the increasing global warming and the enormous degradation of natural resources. The team aims to achieve a mileage of 250 kmpl by designing the shell of the car in the shape of a teardrop, thereby minimizing air drag force and increasing mileage. 

Speaking on the competition, Jhanvi Puri, Team Manager of Team Aethon, said, “The world has slowly started to witness the effects of climate change and we cannot ignore it anymore. Nations, governments, corporates, activists, people - everyone is currently working towards the goal of tackling this global issue of climate change. We too are doing our bit by creating mobility solutions that can reduce carbon emissions and play a role in tackling climate change. The extent of pollution here in Delhi makes us realize the importance of a clean environment. With this unique prototype, we hope to achieve the top spot this year in India and represent our country at the Shell Eco-marathon Asia event.” 

Inaugurated in 1939, Shell Eco-marathon is the world’s longest-running student competition wherein engineering students are challenged to design, build and test fuel-efficient cars. The event is hosted in several countries around the globe and aims to provide an opportunity for multiple stakeholders including students, entrepreneurs, businesses, governments, and the public, to experience, test and contribute to bright energy ideas.