THE RACE | WORLD SOLAR CHALLENGE

WHAT IS THE BRIDGESTONE WORLD SOLAR CHALLENGE?

The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC) is the world’s greatest innovation and engineering challenge, where teams from all around the globe race with solar-powered cars across 3,000 km of Australia’s harsh yet stunning outback. This biennial event, founded in 1987, aims to push the boundaries of sustainable mobility, inspiring innovation in energy efficiency and renewable technologies.

Besides the race being a competition, it’s furthermore also a platform to showcase groundbreaking designs, technologies and ideas for a decarbonized future. Next to aCentauri Solar Racing from the ETH Zurich, participants include leading universities, research institutions and corporations, all united by a passion for sustainable transport.

WHO IS INVOLVED?

The event attracts:

University teams from around the world,
Partners and companies from various fields such as the title sponsor Bridgestone,
Innovators, engineers, and scientists developing avant-garde solar and green technologies and
Industry leaders, sustainability advocates, and future-forward thinkers aiming to decarbonize mobility.

Participants range from seasoned teams that have competed for decades to newcomers such as aCe in 2023, eager to make their impact on the global stage.

WHEN & WHERE DOES THE RACE TAKE PLACE?

The next Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2025 will take place from August 24th–31st, 2025, marking a significant change from its traditional October schedule. This new timing, at the end of the Australian winter, introduces the participating teams to additional challenges, such as reduced sunlight, pushing teams to enhance energy efficiency strategies.

The race begins in Darwin, Northern Territory, and follows the iconic Stuart Highway southward, crossing 3,000 km of diverse terrain, from desert landscapes to outback towns. The finish line is in Adelaide, South Australia, after traversing through the heart of Australia.

WHAT'S NEW IN THE 2025 REGULATIONS?

The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge takes bold steps forward in 2025 with its most significant regulatory updates since the event’s inception in 1987. These changes aim to encourage the competitors to raise the sustainability bar even higher and to develop an even greater variety of energy solutions.

A New Season for Solar Racing

For the first time, the race will take place from August 24th–31st, marking a shift from its traditional October schedule. This adjustment to the end of the Australian winter introduces new challenges:

Lower solar irradiation: Teams will have 20% less sunlight to harness compared to October and
Shorter daylight hours: The sun will rise later and set earlier, pushing teams to optimize energy management and vehicle efficiency.

This draws the parallel to the global energy challenge of sustaining power when sunlight is scarce, inspiring participants to pioneer solutions that extend beyond racing and further close the gap to „real-world“ applications.

Why do These Changes Matter?

The updated regulations are designed to push participants to develop more innovative, efficient and practical solutions for decarbonization. They reflect the event's broader mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy by tackling real-world challenges:

Balancing limited energy supply with growing demands,
Developing scalable renewable energy solutions, including solar, wind, green hydrogen and synthetic fuels and
Showcasing technologies that could redefine mobility for a sustainable future.

The full details on the 2025 regulations, event highlights, and registration will be revealed on World Environment Day, June 5th, 2025.

WHY IS THE RACE IMPORTANT?

The BWSC plays a significant role in driving the transition to sustainable transportation and green technology by:

Encouraging innovation in energy-efficient vehicle design,
Promoting the use of renewable energy sources like solar power,
Showcasing practical applications of sustainable mobility solutions and
Connecting global talent with industry leaders and creating thebasis of future partnerships.

The BWSC is not just a race, it’s a journey towards a brighter, decarbonized future.

THE RACE CLASSES

1. Challenger Class:

Focus: Pure performance and efficiency,
Goal: Drive 3,000 km in a single stage on solar energy and
Vehicle Specs: Sleek, aerodynamic designs with a max 6m² solar array.

1. Cruiser Class:

Focus: Practicality, marketability and energy efficiency,
Goal: Combine performance with features for real-world use and
Vehicle Specs: Two-passenger capacity, unrestricted solar array size.

3. Explorer Class:

Focus: Innovation and inclusivity,
Goal: Showcase experimental technologies and foster global collaboration and
Vehicle Specs: Cars built for previous events or featuring experimental solutions.

THE HISTORY OF THE BWSC

1982: Solar pioneers Hans Tholstrup and Larry Perkins drove QuietAchiever, a solar car, across Australia, inspiring the BWSC.
1987: The first World Solar Challenge was held, with solar-powered vehicles making their inaugural journey from Darwin to Adelaide.
Milestones: The event has evolved into a global showcase of renewable energy, with participants contributing to advancements in electric and sustainable vehicle technologies.
Future Vision: As the BWSC approaches its 40th anniversary in 2027, it continues to champion the development of technologies critical to combating climate change.

KEY FEATURES OF THE BWSC & FACTS

Distance: 3,000 km from Darwin to Adelaide,
Energy Source: Teams are allowed limited energy storage (e.g., 11MJ for Challenger Class), with the rest sourced from the sun,
Checkpoints: Nine mandatory stops for safety checks and weather updates and
Camping: Teams camp wherever they are at 5 PM daily, embracing the challenge of being self-sufficient.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE RACE?

Want to stay updated about aCe's progress, behind-the-scenes stories, and race-day updates? We've got you covered!

The innovation behind our solar car,
Stories from the team as we prepare for the race and
Live updates during the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

Don’t miss a moment of this incredible journey. Stay connected and join us as we take on this thrilling challenge towards a sustainable future!