Axalta celebrates solar success

Axalta Coating Systems has celebrated the success of two student teams at the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2017, a competition of experimental solar cars that took place in Australia.

The Bochum SolarCar Team and The Punch Powertrain Solar Team both developed effective and reliable solar vehicles that successfully completed a 3,021km race from Darwin to Adelaide. Both teams were supported by Axalta, which provided them with coatings as well as technical assistance and expertise.

‘Our support of these young talented engineers reflects Axalta’s commitment to engaging with the communities in which we work, to our technological innovations, and to our passion for motorsports. But moreover it reflects our strategic vision of a more sustainable future dominated by energy-efficient, zero-emission transportation systems,’ said Matthias Schönberg, vice president of Axalta and president for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

The thyssenkrupp blue cruiser, the World Solar Challenge entry of The SolarCar Team from Bochum University of Applied Sciences in Germany, crossed the finish line first of only three teams to complete the race in the given timeframe and was ranked second overall out of the eleven teams in the Cruiser Class.

The Punch Two, designed by the Punch Powertrain Solar Team made up of engineering students from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, finished third in a field of 14 in the Challenger Class.

The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2017. Rules stipulate that 90% of the car’s energy should come from the sun or be recovered from the kinetic energy of the vehicle.