Warwick and South African students to drive African motor electrification

Students from the University of Warwick are working with fellow students in South Africa in a capacity-building project to drive African motor electrification.

The Warwick students are part of Formula Student, an IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers) competition that Warwick students have participated in for many years.

Members of the team are in South Africa this week to share their knowledge on building and racing Electric Vehicles (EVs). Their expertise will be critical to the launch of Formula Student Africa, an all-electric motorsport competition for students across the continent, based on the UK model.

Six South African universities are already on board for the series, including the University of Cape Town, University of Johannesburg, University of South Africa, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Cape Peninsula University of Technology and University of the Witwatersrand.

Have you read:
Enel collaborates on Italian maritime electrification
$10b energy efficiency and electrification NY project portfolio under review

It is hoped that Formula Student Africa will help drive the electrification of transport around Africa, propelled by technological advances in motorsport.

In particular, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and the University of Warwick’s WMG are keen to collaborate with their research into EV batteries. The student teams design the batteries themselves as well as the shape and components of their racing car.

Warwick Racing’s team principal Prem Gill, second year mechanical engineering student, said: “I’m thrilled to lead such a group of highly motivated and dedicated engineering students who share a passion for motorsport and advanced technology.

“This venture serves as a crucial moment in the development of Formula Student Africa, as we aim to establish partnerships and network with key players in the industry. Our aspirations for this competition are to foster the next generation of engineers and help to drive sustainability in motorsport.”

Warwick Racing’s chief suspension engineer Marieta Kyselal, a second year systems engineering student, added: “Our team is very diverse, consisting of people from all year groups and degrees, allowing for innovative ideas, solutions and meaningful learning. While there is beginning to be wider representation in the industry, I would like to inspire more women to be leaders in the motorsport sector.”

Professor Robin Clark, dean of WMG, said: “Warwick’s involvement in Formula Student is well established. It is therefore exciting to see that energy now being directed in a different direction as Formula Student Africa looks to establish itself in the calendar.

“I am sure that Warwick Racing will share the experience and enthusiasm that is so much part of the team with peers in South Africa and that successful new opportunities will be realised.”

The Formula Student competition aims to develop young engineers and encourage more young people to take up a career in engineering.

The format provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their engineering knowledge and test and improve their capabilities to deliver a complex product in the demanding environment of a motorsport competition.

The ultimate aim is to design and race a sports car. This year’s competition takes place at Silverstone in the UK. The Warwick student project team uses the name Warwick Racing.