E-Volve’s goal is to develop, manufacture and assemble a vehicle with low energy consumption, powered by a rechargeable battery, to compete in Shell’s Eco-Marathon (SEM), which will take place in 2014 in Houston, in the Urban Concept Class.

Other Quebec universities, such as the ETS and Laval University are also competing in the Internal Combustion, Prototype Class. However, E-Volve would be the first team from Quebec to participate in the Electrical category of the SEM competition. To be eligible for the competition in 2014, the vehicle must meet the requirements imposed by the organization of the SEM.

The participation of engineering students from the University of Sherbrooke in a major international competition provides good visibility for the university. In fact, more than 2,000 students, teachers and business representatives from across America will be present at the competition.

Furthermore, the use of electric propulsion system shows that the University of Sherbrooke supports innovation in the clean energy field, by encouraging a team of students to complete a project promoting energy-efficient automotive technology.

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The vehicle’s powertrain will be the fruit of a partnership between mechanical engineering and electrical engineering students. Collaboration between these two fields is as stimulating as it is promising, as it enriches the academic experience of students by promoting interdisciplinary teamwork during entire duration of the project.