Posted June 29, 2026 20:51
Behind this record-breaking achievement stands a brand-new electric prototype that the students designed, built, and tested themselves over the past year. The vehicle underwent major engineering changes. It is lighter, more aerodynamic, and incorporates a range of new technical solutions, including a custom battery management system, a new electric motor, and an enhanced telemetry system. The combination of these innovations enabled the team to achieve the best result in its history.
“Our goal was not only to build a new vehicle but to create the most efficient solution possible. Every gram, every technical detail, and every test played its part. That is why we are especially pleased that our work resulted in an achievement that exceeded our expectations,”
said Illia Melnyk, Team Leader of Green Gliders.
Nearly 120 teams from 25 countries across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East took part in this year’s European final. Secondary school and university teams competed with electric, hydrogen-powered, and internal combustion vehicles, aiming to travel the greatest possible distance on a single kilowatt-hour of electricity or one litre of fuel. Shell Eco-marathon is one of the world’s most prestigious student engineering competitions, promoting technical skills, teamwork, and innovation for the future of mobility.
“Last year was primarily about gaining experience, acquiring know-how, and developing strategies to respond to real-world problems and challenges under the demanding physical and mental conditions of an actual race. This also involved seeking inspiration from the most successful solutions developed by other teams while learning from approaches that proved ineffective or disadvantageous for such a specific type of competition. This year, our team’s engineers, led by Chief Mentor Ing. Michal Cenkner, created a vehicle that was not merely improved and optimized, but fundamentally new in almost every aspect compared to last year’s machine. This extensive work was clearly reflected in the race results, with the team finishing in 12th place. The tremendous effort of the entire team translated into a result that has brought us closer to the teams that are truly considered serious contenders. Of course, in a competition as demanding as this, an element of luck always plays a role, as unexpected events or technical failures can occur,” summarized Assoc. Prof. Petr Bouchner, Ph.D., co-founder of the racing team and Head of the Department of Transport Means at the Faculty of Transportation Sciences.
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