Team Sonnenwagen Unveils “Æthon” — Aiming for Victory in the World’s Toughest Solar Race
Sonnenwagen In front of an enthusiastic audience of 800 guests gathered in their hometown of Aachen, Team Sonnenwagen proudly unveiled their latest solar-powered race car, “Æthon.” This momentous occasion marks the beginning of the team’s ambitious campaign to claim victory at the renowned Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC), set to take place from August 24 to 31, 2024, across the Australian Outback. The race, often hailed as the most grueling and prestigious solar car competition globally, covers an arduous 3,000 kilometers and demands nothing less than peak performance and endurance — all powered solely by the sun.
A Legacy of Excellence and Innovation
Coming off their remarkable achievement as the 2024 European Vice-Champion, Team Sonnenwagen has set their sights on the next big challenge. The unveiling ceremony reflected not only the team’s technical prowess but also the community spirit and dedication that underpins the project. The event drew a broad audience, including industry experts, academic mentors, sponsors, and supporters who all share the vision of advancing sustainable mobility through cutting-edge technology.
Dr. Thorsten Dreier, Chief Technology Officer at Covestro — the project’s main sponsor and technology partner — praised the students’ extraordinary commitment. “What the students from Team Sonnenwagen have achieved here, alongside their regular studies and exams, is really impressive,” he said. “The collaboration between our experts and the students has been and continues to be a great inspiration. Together with all the other strong partners, we’re demonstrating what tomorrow’s mobility can look like. We’re proud that we can contribute innovative materials and know-how to help shape a more sustainable future.”
Covestro’s involvement is crucial; the company supplies advanced materials and expertise that enable the team to push the boundaries of performance, sustainability, and innovation.
The Creation of Æthon: A Year of Intensive Development
“Æthon” is the product of twelve months of relentless design, engineering, testing, and refinement. More than 40 dedicated students from RWTH Aachen University and FH Aachen — balancing their academic responsibilities — collaborated intensively to bring the vehicle to life. These young engineers applied their theoretical knowledge to practical challenges, learning and innovating at every step.
The project enjoys substantial support from Covestro, whose contribution is more extensive than ever before. Over ten different Covestro materials have been integrated into Æthon — setting a new record in the history of Team Sonnenwagen’s vehicles. This provides a unique opportunity for Covestro to test the performance and durability of these materials in extreme racing conditions, simulating real-world challenges that could translate into future automotive applications.
Leonie Brandt, Chair of Team Sonnenwagen, expressed her pride and gratitude: “We are very proud of Æthon. The entire team has put their heart and soul into this project. The same goes for our partners, especially Covestro, who have been involved in the project for so long. Without this expertise and support, there would be no Sonnenwagen, and we wouldn’t have been as successful as we’ve been. This year, we want to repay everyone involved with a victory in Australia. We’re looking forward to it!”
Sustainable Materials for Future Mobility
Æthon embodies the team’s commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technology, continuing the tradition of utilizing innovative, environmentally friendly materials. A standout feature is the chemically recycled foam used in the driver’s seat — demonstrating that comfort and circular economy principles can coexist seamlessly.
The vehicle also incorporates chemically recycled Vulkollan®, a highly durable elastomer that absorbs shocks between the battery and the car body, extending the structural longevity of the solar car. Covestro’s materials are also strategically utilized in critical components such as battery cell holders, aerodynamic outer shell, interior trim, headlights, turn signals, and surface coatings. This extensive use of advanced polymers and composites not only improves vehicle performance but also showcases sustainable material solutions for the future of mobility.
Navigating New Rules and Challenges
This year’s World Solar Challenge presents fresh challenges due to new regulations designed to raise the competition’s technical bar and emphasize sustainability. Notably, the allowable battery capacity has been halved compared to previous years, demanding more efficient energy use and innovative power management strategies.
In addition, the development timeline was shortened by two months, placing even greater pressure on the team to finalize and optimize the vehicle design in less time. However, new rules permitting longer car dimensions have provided opportunities to maximize solar cell surface area and aerodynamic efficiency.
Team Sonnenwagen has fully leveraged this advantage: Æthon stretches to an impressive 5.80 meters in length and features six square meters of solar cells — a full two square meters more than their previous solar car, “Covestro Adelie.” This expanded solar array will be critical in maximizing the energy capture essential for completing the long and demanding racecourse across Australia’s harsh Outback terrain.
The timing of the race has also shifted, now taking place at the end of the Australian winter rather than the usual period. This change has implications for solar intensity and weather conditions, adding a strategic layer to race preparation and testing schedules.
The Road Ahead: Testing and the Race in Australia
With the official unveiling behind them, Team Sonnenwagen is entering an intensive testing phase throughout the summer months. Rigorous field testing and fine-tuning of Æthon’s systems and components will be essential to ensuring reliability and peak performance in the challenging conditions expected during the race.
In July, the team will embark on their journey from Aachen to Australia, where they will compete against over 50 international teams representing 24 countries — including many of the world’s leading universities renowned for their solar vehicle programs.
Covestro remains a steadfast partner throughout this journey, providing continued support and collaboration. The shared vision of advancing sustainable mobility and renewable energy technologies drives this partnership. Together, they hope to bring the world championship title home to Aachen, powered by the limitless energy of the sun.
Inspiring the Future of Sustainable Transportation
Beyond the race itself, Team Sonnenwagen’s efforts serve as an inspiring example of how young engineers can innovate and lead in sustainability. The project fosters interdisciplinary learning and international cooperation, pushing forward technological boundaries while emphasizing environmental responsibility.
The integration of advanced materials, such as chemically recycled components and high-performance elastomers, highlights the role of circular economy principles in next-generation transportation. By demonstrating that high performance, durability, and sustainability are not mutually exclusive, Æthon sets a precedent for future mobility solutions.
