The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Automotive Team to manufacture its first Namibian energy-efficient prototype vehicle

The NUST Automotive Team is on a mission to manufacture its first Namibian energy-efficient prototype vehicle, using locally manufactured materials. The overall aim is to inspire research and manufacturing processes in the Namibian automotive industry.

Engineering students working on the energy-efficient prototype vehicle.The Team

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The team is made up of students from the Mechanical and Marine Engineering, and the Electrical and Computer Engineering departments, who work closely with the University’s Innovation Design Lab.
The vehicle has two levers for steering and acceleration, mirrors, a hooter, a display monitor and an emergency safety button.
Annually, depending on funding, NUST participates in the Shell Eco-Marathon. The marathon is a global programme for science, technology, engineering and maths students to design and build ultra-energy-efficient cars.
The competition requires the cars to compete on track by completing a fixed number of laps around a circuit, at a set speed.
Organisers then calculate their energy efficiency and names winners in various classes, in accordance with the source of energy. NUST participates in the electric vehicle category.

Accolades

“In 2018, the NUST team participated in the Shell Eco-Marathon’s regional African leg of the competition and managed to secure the second place in the electric vehicle category. The students also received recognition for best team spirit and perseverance. This year, the team is hard at work preparing for the event which takes place at the Zwartkops Raceway, Johannesburg, from 11 to 15 September,” said Evert Strydom, Lecturer: Department of Mechanical and Marine Engineering.

Funding

“NamPower recently donated N$30 000 to the students, whilst Ark Trading availed N$5 000. This will enable the team to complete the prototype vehicle and travel to South Africa. However, the students are still in need of travel allowance,” concluded Strydom.