Westfalia Kepler Five brings Vives to Shell Eco Marathon
Shell Eco Marathon preparations
The VIVES EcoTeam travelled to Nogaro again this year to take part in the Shell Eco Marathon. Shell has been committed to research to reduce consumer consumption for many years and organises the Shell Eco Marathon every year. This competition is not about speed, but rather the efficiency of the vehicles: so participants try to drive as many kilometres as possible with as little fuel as possible.
Every year, Vives puts a new team from their automotive course to this challenge. 10 motivated students improved previous years' car by focusing mainly on measuring values. That way, some hidden resistances were found and optimised. After much tinkering, alignment, measuring and testing, the time had come, the departure for France.
Trip to Nogaro circuit
On 17 May, they picked up the minicamper at Vanomobil and after a clear explanation, set off with the Vanomobil minicamper towards the south of France. The minicamper really drives like a normal car, very comfortable (-as automotive students know what they are talking about)! They park and set up at the campsite next to the circuit. Unfortunately, the weather was bad on arrival and would remain so all week. So the Westfalia Kepler Five certainly came in handy to keep the rain out warm and dry sitting together, with the frig within easy reach, very cosy!
Own record broken
The many strict rules of the race make it already challenging to get through the inspection, but after two days, the Vives Eco Team passed! After a reconnaissance of the course, it was time to make attempts for the race. The first attempt already yielded a better result than last year, which gave them great hope. After some testing and trying, the team achieved a top result of 47.5 km/kWh. Just count how much you could drive your electric car with this consumption ;). With this great result, they could start the return journey proud and satisfied.
Vanomobil is proud of what these students have achieved and grateful that we can support this initiative of the Vives!
