Last week, Purdue Solar Racing took home first place in the Battery Electric division at the 2013 Shell Eco-marathon. The winning run reached an efficiency of 78.1 m/kWh (a miles per gallon equivalency of approximate 2,630MPGe). Navitas made a great debut as the first vehicle at SEMA to utilize solar concentrators. Other characteristics that set Navitas apart included the aerodynamic design, distinctive carbon fiber body, carbon fiber wheels, a touchscreen driver display, and an overall weight of just over 200lbs. PSR also took third place in the Student Energy Challenge for a student-made infographic on the future of energy. As this was Navitas’ first year, the team overcame many challenges bringing the vehicle to the track, making the experience incredibly rewarding. The opportunity to work among the other teams was also a great part of the experience, and the team came home with new friends and new perspectives. Check out the pictures below to see what SEMA 2013 was like!
