Turkish university’s solar car test drive successful

Turkish university’s solar car test drive successful

ISTANBUL

Energy Minister Taner Yıldız drives solar car built by İTÜ engineers. AA photo

Turkey’s leading Istanbul Technical University’s ARIBA 6 solar car just finished its first test run from Istanbul to Ankara, reaching its destination after a solar-energy fueled road trip that cost only 2 Turkish Liras.

ARIBA 6, the sixth product in a series of solar energy vehicles built by engineers of Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ), arrived at Minister Taner Yıldız’s office doorstep yesterday, where Yıldız announced a grant of 30,000 liras to be given to the innovative team.

Yıldız also requested the team to build a solar car for the ministry.

The car is set to compete in the World Solar Challenge, which rounds up to 3021 kilometers and spans over six continents, between Sept. 6 and Sept. 13. İTÜ’s former efforts have won national and international awards, and stand as one of country’s most prominent acts in the field of solar energy vehicles.