The vehicle “Mediterranean Storm” designed and produced by the Electric Vehicle Development Center (EVDC) operating under Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Rector’s Office represented the university and came fifth at the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBİTAK) Efficiency Challenge competition which took place within the scope of TEKNOFEST. This year’s competition took place at İstanbul Atatürk Airport between the 16^th and 22^nd of September, 2019. Team ADA represented EMU for the third time in the 15^th Annual Efficiency Challenge Competition.

In 2017, the Z-ZERO electric vehicle developed by the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Engineering attended the competition finishing in 20^th place out of 74 teams. This project was also seen fit to receive the Mechatronic Design Award as a result of its superiority in mechanic and electronic design, engineering work and being locality. Meanwhile the vehicle “Mediterranean Shark” finished the Electromobile 2018 Competition organized by TÜBİTAK in ninth place.

EMU was the TRNC’s Sole Representative

As the only participating institution from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) this year EMU took part in the electro mobile category of the said competition with the “Storm” vehicle of team “ADA”.  Team ADA’s project “Storm” was led by EVDC President Asst. Prof. Dr. Davut Solyalı. The team comprised of local and international undergraduate and postgraduate students. The design, development and production of project “Storm” took place fully under the scope of EMU with students using the university’s facilities and laboratories.

The Efficiency Challenge is an annual competition for university students organized by TÜBİTAK since 2005. The Challenge aims to lead to the research of alternative and clean energy sources, to increase their use in the automotive sector and to raise awareness. The vehicles designed according to the city concept are examined in terms of high energy efficiency.  The organization that greatly values local production requires 4 parts of the vehicle to be produced domestically since 2018.

“This is the Success of my Students”

After the recent success, EVDC President Asst. Prof. Dr. Davut Solyalı stated the following: “Finally the competition is finished. Our students worked very hard for EMU and the TRNC. This success belongs to my students. I wholeheartedly congratulate them and wish the continuation of their success. The Efficiency Challenge Electrical Vehicle Competition organized by TÜBİTAK came to a magnificent end and awards were presented to their owners. More than 80 universities participated in intense competition. We attended this event for the third time this year with a team comprising of almost completely new members. More than 40 universities were eliminated in the control stage of the competition. All universities go through approximately three inspections.  We are the only university to pass technical controls and dynamic test runs on our first try three years in a row.”

“We Were Deemed Worthy of an Award”

Asst. Prof. Dr. Solyalı continued as follows: “Throughout the year, Team Ada organized many activities in our schools with the goal of implanting the love of science in our youth and creating awareness.  Our efforts didn’t go unnoticed by TÜBİTAK and we were deemed worthy of the “Promotion and Dissemination Incentive Award”.  In 2017, we attended the competition for the first time with our Z-ZERO electric vehicle. We finished the competition in 20^th place and received the Mechatronic Design Award. In 2018, we competed with our vehicle ‘Mediterranean SHARK’ and finished in 9^th position. Since 2017, we are the only university to be representing the TRNC. Each year, we have halved the weight of our vehicle. We have also improved aero-dynamics and friction. This year we competed with our 120kg weighing vehicle "Mediterranean STORM" and completed the The Efficiency Challenge Electrical Vehicle Competition in 5^th position.

 “We Dedicate This Achievement to Our Country”

Asst. Prof. Dr. Solyalı concluded his words in the following manner: “I would like to thank our Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam for his vision, belief and passion. The Rector’s Office and many units operating under its roof have contributed greatly to our project. Their belief and support has made us stronger and I would like to extend my gratitude to them on behalf of the team. We dedicate this achievement to our country”.