In a significant milestone for the Pakistan Navy Engineering College-National University of Sciences and Technology (PNEC-NUST), students have unveiled their latest achievement: a state-of-the-art formula electric racing car.
This impressive development marks a major step forward for the institution and showcases the innovation and dedication of its student engineers.
On Monday, students and faculty from PNEC-NUST proudly presented their formula electric racing car at a local hotel.
The development of the electric vehicle (EV) has been both an inspirational and motivational journey, as demonstrated by the videos shown during the unveiling.
Formula Student is a global engineering competition where student teams design, build, test, and race small-scale formula-style racing cars.
PNEC students first represented Pakistan in the Formula Student competition in Germany in 2012, but their car did not pass the technical inspection, preventing them from competing.
The EV, along with its 14-member team, is now preparing to participate in the 2023 Formula Student competition in the UK this July.
Although the team faced various challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic and visa issues, they continued to make progress.
Graduating students ensured that their successors were trained to build an improved car, resulting in the current 2023 formula racing car.
This latest model features a 350V battery that requires two hours to charge.
Bilal Mohammed Khan, a faculty adviser and associate professor at PNEC-NUST, noted that the 14-member team comprises seven girls and seven boys from the seventh and eighth terms of the electrical and mechanical departments. Additionally, 25 trainees are assisting the team to eventually take over from the core group.
He mentioned that the team includes both a male and a female driver. “While all team members can drive, we selected the lightest individuals for this car, similar to how jockeys are chosen for their build,” he explained with a smile.
Team manager Ali Kashif Rasool expressed his gratitude to his team, teachers, sponsors, partners, and parents, with a light-hearted apology for the late hours spent on the project.