DUST to unveil car on Friday afternoon at Deakin University ahead of Bridgestone World Solar Challenge

The Deakin University Solar Team’s vehicle, named DUST, will be unveiled at the university’s Waurn Ponds campus at 3 pm on Friday, ahead of the Darwin to Adelaide Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC), running from August 24 – 31.

The team (pictured) will compete in the Cruiser Class of the 3000-kilometre BWSC, with vehicles judged on payload, energy consumption, and overall desirability, and which are “energy-efficient but also practical for everyday use”. 

Professor Ben Horan, Head of Deakin’s engineering school, said on Friday: “The challenge is such a great test of Engineering ingenuity, and I could think of no better way for our students to test the boundaries of what is possible.

“Our Engineering courses centre around projects, and students learning by designing creative and innovative solutions – and our participation in this year’s event really embodies what we are all about.

The event’s date moving from October to August “for the first time in its history” means teams’ vehicles will have to be more efficient as they are able to use 20 per cent less solar energy than in previous years.

According to a statement from Deakin, the vehicle is a “radically redesigned, ultra-efficient solar electric vehicle”, and the 21-person team (17 students and four staff) compete against 38 teams from 19 countries. The multidisciplinary collection of students are drawn from engineering, IT, design, marketing, and film and TV classes.

They will leave for Darwin on August 15.

Chris Selwood, BWSC Event Ambassador, added, “Flying the flag as the only Victorian team, Deakin’s commendable debut in 2023 saw them take home two trophies – the Bridgestone E8 Commitment Award and the PR & Media Award. 

“I’m excited to see what they deliver this time.”

Those interested can follow the team at the following links

https://www.facebook.com/dust.deakin/ https://www.instagram.com/dust.deakin/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/deakin-solar-team/

https://www.youtube.com/@dust.deakin

Picture: supplied

Further reading

Solar cars head to start line for World Solar Challenge

Deakin solar car rolls out for test drive

Solar soaking EVs: trial looks at potential of cars and grid stabilisation