100 student teams compete to design hybrid cars

After designing their own racing cars, the teams will compete in speed to find the champion and win attractive prizes.

Hybrid cars designed by students - Photo: TRONG NHAN

On March 1, 2025, at Cao Thang Technical College (HCMC), the Mini Car Racing 2025 design competition was officially launched. This is the 10th year the competition has been held. This year, there are 100 teams from universities and colleges in the Southern region.

In addition to the host team, Cao Thang Technical College, the remaining teams are from strong technology schools in the Southern region such as the University of Technology (Ho Chi Minh City National University), Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education, Tra Vinh University, Van Lang University, Binh Duong University, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Gia Dinh College, Saigon Polytechnic College, etc.

MSc. Nguyen Ngoc Thanh - Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cao Thang Technical College - said that this year's competition recorded strong innovation, when requiring students to research and apply hybrid technology, combining gasoline and electric engines.

Hybrid cars are a modern development trend in the automobile industry, saving fuel, reducing emissions and moving towards sustainable development.

Student groups will design and build their own model cars with at least 50% self-produced components.

A hybrid car model has been developed by students - Photo: TRONG NHAN

Technically, the car has a maximum size of 80 x 50 x 50cm, using a two-stroke gasoline engine with a capacity of 22 - 33cm³, simulating the operating principle of a real car. The cars will compete on a 76m long track, specially designed for the competition.

From March 2025, the organizers will organize practical workshops to help students get acquainted with remote vehicle control technology via WiFi - Internet protocol.

At the same time, the competing teams will be given a 26cm³ gasoline engine and the necessary accessories to design the car.

The final round will take place on May 24, 2025 at Cao Thang Technical College. The prize value is up to 150 million VND.

"Hybrid vehicles are a rather complex field, because students have to integrate two types of engines into the same vehicle model with limited size, while ensuring stable operation and energy saving. Finding the optimal solution to combine two power sources while still ensuring speed and performance is a big challenge," said Mr. Thanh.

Another hybrid car created by students - Photo: TRONG NHAN

Meanwhile, Mr. Tran Thanh Dat - General Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Automobile and Power Equipment Association - said that through the process of designing, manufacturing and operating model cars, students have the opportunity to practice professional skills in mechanics, embedded programming and hybrid technology - an important trend in the modern automobile industry.

According to him, through this, students will develop creative thinking, problem-solving skills when facing real technical challenges, as well as teamwork, time and project management skills... which are essential for future practical work.

The competition is still accepting applications from student teams across the country.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/100-doi-sinh-vien-do-suc-thiet-ke-xe-hybrid-20250301172121508.htm