This one-of-a-kind competition is held biennially in Australia, challenging teams from around the world to design, build, and compete in solar-powered vehicles over a gruelling 3,000-kilometre journey from Darwin to Adelaide.
Cars
Vehicles in the BWSC are divided into categories that reflect different focuses and priorities:
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Challenger Class
Sleek, futuristic vehicles that are the pinnacle of solar vehicle design, emphasising speed and aerodynamic efficiency.
Cruiser Class
Prioritises practicality and consumer appeal, focusing on vehicles that could potentially translate into real-world applications.
Explorer Class
Demonstration category that showcases prospective ideas and technology, while providing a platform for cars built for previous events.
Tyre Technologies
As the title sponsor to the world’s greatest innovation and engineering challenge, we play a pivotal role by ensuring teams can extract maximum performance from their solar powered systems.
Sustainability
Teams are challenged to design and build energy-efficient vehicles powered solely by solar energy, boldly dreaming, engineering, and racing the cars of tomorrow.
This competition showcases the transformative potential of renewable energy in the future of mobility and encourages advancements in lightweight materials, aerodynamics, and energy management systems.
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FAST FACTS
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IT’S HOT OUT THERE
Drivers endure extreme heat while racing across the Australian Outback, so staying cool with liquid-cooled vests, ventilation ducts, and pre- and post-shift hydration routines ensure optimal physical condition in the heat.
WATCH OUT FOR WILD ANIMALS
Encounters with native wildlife are not uncommon along the remote Australian Outback. Some of the animals teams may encounter include emus, kangaroos, lizards, and snakes.
SOLAR SPEED DEMONS
Some coatings used on solar cars reduce air resistance, enabling them to go faster. Some competitors can clock speeds of up to 100km/h. As such, race regulations are regularly adjusted in order for teams to not exceed speed limits.
THE ROUTE
