While most Mumbai students are either appearing for exams or preparing for one, 30 students of the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) are busy putting together an electric formula car that will compete with 109 other cars at the Silverstone Formula Racing track in Northamptonshire, United Kingdom, in July this year. The yet to be named car is being indigenously made by the IITians and is the first ever attempt by any student group in the country.
According to Urmil Shah, a mechanical engineering student and captain of the team making the car, the annual Formula Student event sees student teams from universities across the world race their cars and vie for the top spot in various categories.
“The last attempt by IITians was in 2009 when a chip powered car was made. This time, we are attempting to make a car that will operate on electric power from lithium polymer batteries. As the concept of electric powered cars is fast catching on, we want our institute to be the first to give it a try,” Mr Shah said.
He added that while the car will weigh 300 kg, nearly 70 kg more than the cars that have won in the past, the team is confident of having an edge over other cars in speed and acceleration. The car can accelerate to 60 kmph in 3.5 seconds and achieve a maximum speed of 115 kmph.
The team is still to get some components, but the car, which will cost `16 lakh, will be ready for testing by mid-May. “We will have a month to test the car before it is shipped to the UK in June,” said Mr Shah.