Illini EV Concept - Back and better than ever

While the Illini EV Concept team never planned to have their competition canceled in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, they have made the necessary adjustments to make a strong return to the competition. The team continues to build a sleek and efficient electric car each year to race in the Shell Eco-Marathon Competition, despite the challenges presented.

Returning in 2021, the team’s vehicle design was similar to their previous designs except for the chassis. The team worked hard, rearranging many sections of the car to create a more cohesive design. The rear mounting surface was improved to create a better connection to the other subsystems.  Front-end geometry was assessed and redesigned to create a stiffer front mounting area. Additionally, various core materials were replaced to reduce weight and reinforce the entire chassis.

The team also changed much of their electronic systems, making them more efficient and powerful through the use of BLDC motors in combination with a better battery management system.

Outside of physical changes to the car, the team had other exciting new developments, including the establishment of a software subteam and their move into the Siebel Center for Design.

Previously the team had four subteams: Composites (designs carbon fiber for the car body), Electrical (works with the battery and electrical systems), Mechanical (designs the moving parts of the car), and Business Operations (works with the teams’ administration, marketing, funding, and internal improvements). The new Software subteam is a huge step for the team as this group is responsible for writing the code that will eventually make the car fully autonomous.

“We're a long way away from a Tesla, but with this subteam we’re the only U.S. car team - that we're aware of - to build our vehicle from scratch and also program it to drive autonomously,” said Xavier Kelley, Business Operations Lead. 

The Siebel Center for Design opened recently as a multipurpose building for all-campus use. The Illini EV Concept team was invited to be a part of their grand opening event, as one of very few organizations on campus to have been granted space in the building—a sleek garage on the southwest side. 

The team plans to compete in the annual Shell Eco-Marathon this April - a competition that's both a test of energy efficiency as well as a traditional race. This year's event will be held at an exciting venue – the Indy 500 raceway. The team has confidence in their super-lightweight car, built from carbon fiber (a material with one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios) and weighing just 200lbs.

In the future, Illini EV Concept also hopes to, eventually, compete in some autonomous vehicle competitions. The team also plans to work on new projects that focus on putting finishing touches on the vehicle while preparing for the next iteration of the car. A portion of the team would make the carbon fiber body look glossy, install brakes, and refine the steering mechanisms, while others would seek to continue improving their current design.

If you are interested in getting involved, find and message the team on Instagram . You can also find them on Facebook and LinkedIn.