Colleagues, friends, family, and professors witnessed the culmination of months of work by the Mobile Energy Sustainability Project (PSEM), a students’ organisation at Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, at the rollout of the new electric car prototype, the GP25 EVO. The ceremony, held in the Great Hall of the Alameda Campus on May 28, showcased the new vehicle, which promises to reclaim a spot on the podium at the Greenpower competition, scheduled for October of this year at the Goodwood Motor Circuit in England. Additionally, the team announced its transition to participate in the solar car competition, scheduled for 2028, and unveiled its new logo as part of a rebranding effort.
Rogério Colaço, president of Técnico, congratulated the students and shared his “joy” and “immense pride” at seeing the room filled with friends and family members witnessing this “symbolic” moment. “My view is that the future is always better than the past, and you are proof of that”, he said. Recognising the “hard work” put in by the students, he highlighted the “ability to imagine, dream, and make things happen” of students’ organisations that “are doing what hadn’t been done for years”.
Leonor Nicolau, a Biomedical Engineering student, current marketing leader, and deputy coordinator of PSEM, believes a “major step” has been taken for the team, which, after ten years of competing in Greenpower, an electric car competition, is preparing to participate in the iLumen European Solar Challenge, the world’s only 24-hour solar car endurance race. Despite the “challenge” of balancing academic life with participation in a Técnico students’ organisation, the student believes the effort is worthwhile. “We are lucky to have a team that organises and makes these events possible, which has allowed our prototype to be here today”, she said.
With improved aerodynamic efficiency, a cooling system that reduces engine temperature by 12°C, and more robust telemetry systems that allow for real-time monitoring and control of the vehicle, the new prototype achieves an average speed of approximately 66 km/h on the track. It features a carbon fiber chassis and a “more advanced” body, resulting in a reduction of about 19% in the car’s total drag. According to Pedro Silva, PSEM coordinator, this is the “best prototype” developed by the team to date.
“It’s amazing that a car of this weight can achieve the rigidity needed to go as fast as it does”, explained Miguel Coelho, a mechanical engineering student, who shared his excitement about seeing the prototype finally unveiled. “It was very exhausting, but at the same time, it’s very rewarding to see it moving. Nothing beats that”. Miguel Coelho also highlighted the team’s “good planning”. “Our rollouts usually take place closer to September; unveiling it now, at the end of May, is incredible”, he said.
Among those present was Ana Godinho, a friend of one of the group members. “I’m extremely proud; we know the effort and dedication he has put into this project, and I hope it bears fruit and that he can achieve his goals with everything he has learnt”, she said. Surprised by the scale of the project, she added: “I had no idea how many members there were; it’s wonderful to see all the effort the entire team has put in”.
Vitor Gonçalves, a Técnico alumnus (Master’s programme in Mechanical Engineering), joined PSEM in 2020, where he remained for about two years. The alumnus considers this experience to have been “extremely valuable” for his professional career. “It was worth it; we managed to design and build a car in a year. It was very rewarding”, he recalled. “PSEM continues to be responsible for training engineers with skills that are fundamental”, which aren’t acquired solely through theory. Praising the team’s courage in embracing a new challenge, he expressed pride in the project. “It’s always great to see the progress”.
The ceremony featured a speech by João Dias, a professor at Técnico, who gave a brief overview of PSEM’s history, followed by remarks from the coordinators who have led PSEM over the years. Members of the Board and the entire team also took the stage, introduced by department: aerodynamics, electronics, marketing, mechanical design, management, and software. The ceremony concluded with an exhibition of the prototypes developed throughout PSEM’s history and a social gathering.
