Dutch team wins 3,000km solar car race in Australia
Teams from across the world including Hong Kong, United States, Malaysia, India and South Africa were taking part in the race
Dominant Dutch team “Nuon” Thursday won an epic 3,000-kilometre solar car race across Australia’s outback for the third-straight year in an innovative contest showcasing new vehicle technology.
The World Solar Challenge, first run in 1987 and last held in 2015, began in the northern city of Darwin on Sunday morning with 41 competing cars, with Adelaide in South Australia state the final destination.
Cheers and chants of “Nuna” roared from the large Dutch contingent as the “Nuna 9” car – travelling at an average speed of 81.2 kilometres per hour – crossed the finish line mid-afternoon.
The US’ University of Michigan “Novum” was on track for second place ahead of Belgium’s Punch Powertrain.
The event has become one of the world’s foremost innovation challenges with teams looking to demonstrate designs that could one day lead to commercially available solar-powered vehicles for passengers.
