In 2009, a group of students from the University of Applied Sciences of Utrecht presented their graduation project: an eco-friendly formula race car, the Formula Bio. Their dream was to participate in the Formula Student, a race similar to Formula 1, only for students. The Formula Bio stood for environmentally friendly and inexpensive race cars. After they graduated, one of the group members went to study at Eindhoven University of Technology. This student, Albert Maas, came into contact with Maarten Steinbuch. Together they came up with the idea of participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a fully electric car. In 2012, the InMotion student team was officially established.
Fusion
The Fusion is the fastest electric formula car in the world, with a top speed of 246 km/h. The Fusion is built to break track records of circuits, and not to fit into a particular ranking, so the car does not have to meet certain restrictions. How is the car so fast? This is due to a combination of different techniques. The propulsion is important, and also the aerodynamics of the car. The small size of the car also plays a role. Below are some facts to get a better understanding of the Fusion.
The car weighs 650 kilos in total, of which the monocoque weighs 60 kilos
The InMotion team launched its first full electric racing car in 2016. The car was based on the former Formula Bio car has been built on a carbon fiber chassis. The full electric engine has a better power to weight ratio compared to a Formula E car. The car made its track debut at Circuit Zandvoort during the 2016 Masters of Formula 3 event. Drivers Xavier Maassen and Jan Lammers gave the car a shakedown. In 2017 USF2000 driver Rinus van Kalmthout did a straight line test at the Automotive Campus Helmond test track. During the year the team improved track records for electric cars at two tracks. Beitske Visser improved the record at Zandvoort. Testdriver Maassen beat the track record for electric cars at Circuit Zolder, previously held by Bert Longin in a Tesla Roadster.
The Vision is a fully electric Le Mans prototypeunder development. Unlike the Fusion, this car is also built for its endurance. The Vision will be unique because it will be the first fully electric race car to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In the Garage 56 category, InMotion can use the innovative technological developments to make the race car as fast and environmentally friendly as possible. Engineers of the team have already thought about the following topics for the Vision: fan system for downforce, suspension, electric powertrain, aerodynamics and the monocoque. The team has gained knowledge about most of these topics by building the Ignition and the Fusion. Furthermore, there have been several graduation projects on various topics regarding the Vision. The most important difference between these cars and the Vision is the focus on charging time. The concept car is an embodiment of the future for electric driving. The ultimate goal of the team is thus literally visible and tangible. The aerodynamics of the concept car have already been carefully thought out and designed by the team. The concept car is the embodiment of future electric mobility. The ultimate end goal of the team is now made attainable. The outline of the concept car has been carefully designed and engineered by the team. Making the end goal closer to reality, by our team tackling the primary technical challenge, charging times.
Student team
Passion and ambition are the great motivations of the student team. The team consists of full-time members, part-time members, and trainees. Together, from all kinds of different disciplines, they work on one mission. The uniqueness of the InMotion student team is the ultimate goal, not an annual project. Everyone who has worked with them is seen as part of the team. In addition, the team receives regular advice from the 'technical advisory board' and 'supervisory board'. The Supervisory Board ensures that the project continues to follow a uniform line over the years. The technical advisory board consists of experienced members who meet weekly with the current engineers in order to guarantee the transfer of knowledge and to help with problems.
