ITU ZES Solar Car Team is a student project and research & development team that designs and manufactures solar-powered electric vehicles, competing in prestigious races around the world.
Since 2004, we have continued our work with the same determination as undergraduate students from 11 different disciplines — supported by industry partners, our university’s academics, and our alumni. While improving ourselves in both engineering and social skills, we work together on a voluntary basis to ensure the continuity of our team culture and values.
Our vision; is to embody a dynamic, innovative, and collaborative spirit; to utilize and advance clean energy and cutting-edge technologies; to train competent engineers who can actively contribute to the national industry; and to represent ITU and Turkey in the best possible way on both national and international platforms.
Our mission; is to conduct R&D studies in the fields of mechanics, materials, and electrical-electronics focused on alternative energy sources that will shape the future; to instill the spirit of alternative energy in young people to build a clean future; to transform theoretical knowledge into practical applications by designing and manufacturing vehicles; to foster a culture of quality and ensure its continuous improvement; and to contribute to the development of domestic, high-quality, and competitive products that meet international standards.
As the ITU ZES Solar Car Team, we have produced 10 solar-powered vehicles (ARIba) and 2 autonomous vehicles since 2004. We are currently working on the design of our 11th ARIba and the revision of our autonomous vehicle.
World Solar Challenge - WSC, The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is a race that, for over 30 years, has invited the brightest minds from around the world to Australia to push the boundaries of technological innovation and to travel across the outback using only solar energy. Comprising mainly university and high school students, teams design, develop, and build their own solar-powered vehicles to travel 3,000 kilometers from Darwin to Adelaide. Through this journey, participants in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge highlight the world’s leading innovation effort toward achieving sustainable personal mobility. Recognized as the world’s largest and most prestigious solar energy competition, the event has been held biennially since 1987. In 2019, it attracted a record 53 teams from 24 countries, involving around 1,500 participants and reaching an estimated global audience of over 25 million people. The event fosters industry partnerships across the energy, automotive, engineering, finance, materials science, and IT sectors. Alumni of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge have gone on to work at some of the world’s leading engineering, automotive, and sustainable transportation companies — including Tesla (USA), Zipline (USA), Dawn Aerospace, CERN (Geneva), Ford of Australia, and Space (Alumni, 2024).
The Teknofest Robotaxi–Passenger Autonomous Vehicle Competition, held at Informatics Valley (Bilişim Vadisi), provides our team with the opportunity to showcase our work and advancements in autonomous vehicle technologies. Our team has been participating in this annual competition every year since 2021, continuously improving our autonomous systems and strengthening our expertise in this rapidly developing field.
Tübitak Formula-G – Türkiye İzmir Race (ARIBA 1st place, ARIBA II 3rd place, ARIBA ve ARIBA II Qualification Award) Tübitak Formula-G – Türkiye İstanbul Race (ARIBA 1st place, ARIBA II 3rd place, ARIBA ve ARIBA II Qualification Award, Original Contribution Award)
Tübitak Formula-G – Türkiye Ankara Race (İTÜRA (ARIBA III) 1st place, ARIBA II 2nd place, ANOK Cup Race 1st place, Original Contribution Award)
Tübitak Formula-G – Türkiye İzmir Race (İTÜRA (ARIBA III) 1st place, ARIBA II 2nd place) University Rover Challenge 3rd place
World Solar Challenge - The Best Newcomer European Rover Challenge Best Robot Arm Special Reward
Tübitak Formula-G – Türkiye Körfez Race (ARIBA V 3rd place, Best Engineering Design Award)
Tübitak Formula-G – Türkiye Körfez Race (ARIBA VII 2nd place)
Youth for Future – Türkiye Eskişehir Race (ARIBA 7S 3rd place, Most Considerate Team Award) iLumen European Solar Challenge - Brain Sport Award
iLumen European Solar Challenge - Spirit of the Event
iLumen European Solar Challenge - 3rd place
iLumen European Solar Challenge - National Champion
E-mail: itugae@itu.edu.tr Address: Reşitpaşa District İTÜ Ayazağa Campus Automotive Laboratory -1.kat İTÜ Solar Car Workshop 34469, Sarıyer / İstanbul