aCentauri races across Australia on sunlight alone

aCentauri Solar Racing – Engineering the Future of Solar Mobility

aCentauri Solar Racing is ETH Zurich's student-led team developing a solar-powered race car designed to cross an entire continent using nothing but sunlight. Covered in high-efficiency solar cells and equipped with only a small buffer battery, the vehicle converts solar energy into power in real time, making every ray of sunshine count.

The team's ultimate goal is to compete in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, a 3,000-kilometer race across the Australian Outback. Facing the world's leading universities, the car must maintain speeds of over 80 km/h while enduring extreme heat, strong crosswinds, rough roads, and the unforgiving conditions of one of the world's most remote environments.

Meeting this challenge demands engineering at the highest level. Almost every component is designed and manufactured in-house or developed together with industry partners, with a relentless focus on efficiency. From ultra-efficient electric motors and aerospace-grade carbon fiber structures to advanced aerodynamics and custom electronics, every detail is optimized to minimize energy losses and maximize the distance the car can travel using nothing but the power of the sun.