After 3,000 kilometers through the Australian outback – in pouring rain, sunshine, and cold – Chalmers Solar Team has reached its goal. With their newly built solar car Arvaker, the students placed 12th out of 29 teams in their class in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. Most importantly: Chalmers crossed the finish line – for the first time ever.
“It feels absolutely fantastic! We’re incredibly proud that we made it all the way, especially considering the weather, which became a real challenge on the final day. Torrential rain and strong winds alternated with sunshine, but the car held up, and our drivers – Gustav, Konrad, Oscar, and Wilmer – stayed steady on the road,” says Tilde Thurfjell Emilsson, Head of Economics for Chalmers Solar Team.
The race took place from August 24–31. On August 29, the solar car Arvaker crossed the finish line.
“We’re really happy with the result. From being quite alone on the road early on, it suddenly became very tight toward the end. We caught up with several teams that had run into problems, and it turned into a fierce battle for position against Acentauri Solar Racing from ETH Zurich,” says Tilde.
From Nervous to Smooth Driving
Before the race, the team described their emotions as a mix of excitement, nervousness, and pride – and that’s exactly how it played out.
“The nerves faded pretty quickly. Once we saw the car was working as expected, we found our rhythm. It was a great feeling,” says Tilde.
After finishing, the team celebrated simply – but well-deserved.
“We started with a much-needed shower and a good meal. On Sunday, we joined the closing ceremony with the other teams. It was a lovely ending.”
“This Is Chalmers’ Best Car Yet”
Arvaker performed at a high level throughout the race – just as the team had hoped.
“We said we wanted to build a reliable car – and we really did. It handled changing weather and tough road conditions without a problem. Apart from a quick stop on day one, we never had to halt except at mandatory control stops,” says Tilde.
“Usually, solar cars suffer from minor faults during the race, but not this year. We could maintain speed whenever the weather and road allowed it. The fact that we finished at all is the biggest proof that this is Chalmers’ best solar car so far.”
Challenges: Cold Nights, Rain – and Dingoes
Racing through the Australian wilderness brought more than just technical challenges.
“The cold nights were the most unexpected part, especially toward the end. One evening, our tents nearly blew away even with weights holding them down. And one night, dingoes came very close to camp – a bit nerve-wracking, but they never reached us.”
Nature also offered some unforgettable moments:
“The starry sky out there is hard to describe – completely free of light pollution. It was magical.”
The Final Days – Strategic Decisions Made the Difference
The last days tested the team both technically and strategically.
“Rain and clouds were very localized, making it hard to predict their impact. Strategic decisions became more of calculated gambles. Luckily, the clouds cleared in time, and we could drive the whole way without extra charging stops.”
But it was a close call.
“On Thursday and Friday, we couldn’t charge due to rain, and the battery came close to empty. If the sun hadn’t broken through when it did, we might’ve had to stop and wait for clearer skies. Fortunately, our strategy team made the right calls.”
Teamwork That Grew Along the Way
The team – made up of 16 students with various roles, from Battery Officer to Team Manager – worked together seamlessly.
“Everyone knew what needed to be done, and over time the routines became second nature. We kept optimizing – for example, how fast we could complete control stops or get everyone ready for departure.”
Lessons for the Future
The project brought valuable insights that future teams can build on.
“We’ve gathered data, experience, and processes for the next team to use. Everything from how to design a stable car to practical lessons – like always having extra diesel cans, in case the gas stations run out, which happened to us on day one,” says Tilde Thurfjell Emilsson.
From Hopes to Reality
Before the race, the team shared their dream: to reach the finish line for the first time. That dream came true.
Relaterat:
The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2025 competition attracts students and engineers from around the world with their self-built solar cars.
