The Global Hybrid Electric Challenge in UAE (GHEC-UAE) is a hands-on educational program for institutions of higher learning with engineering, science, technology and business management programs. Student teams apply engineering design principles and strategy to construct and race full-size electric and hybrid-electric cars. The primary goal of the competition is to provide a hands-on environment in which the students apply what they learn in the classroom to devise real-world solutions. The project also helps improve their understanding of renewable energy technologies and project management while working in a team environment. Other aspects of the program involve marketing, PR and fundraising as well as logistics planning in preparation for the races. The adoption of this program in the MENA region serves as an excellent platform for young men and women in engineering and business management to better prepare them for their careers in industry.
The official entries are single person, lightweight, aerodynamic, high efficiency, electric-motor-driven vehicles with three wheels. They must meet specific design and safety rules. They are powered by advanced LiFeMnPO4 or SLA Pb-xx batteries with a sophisticated energy monitoring system. A petrol generator and charger are used to provide additional range to the batteries. Teams have prescribed choices of hybrid configurations, and must declare their choice prior to the competition. Students are supplied a complete set of official components that they must engineer and assemble. Speeds are software limited through the controller to insure utmost safety.
The competition is held in two phases. The first phase is the Electric Grand Prix (E-GP) competition whereby teams drive their electrically powered vehicles as far as possible for one hour on the closed loop course using only energy stored in their batteries. The winner of the E-GP is the team with the longest distance travelled during this period. The second phase is the Hybrid-Electric Grand Prix (HE-GP) competition in which teams use petrol to increase their range and run as far as possible in a period of three hours on the closed loop course. The winner of the HE-GP is the team with the longest distance traveled in the three hour. The results of the two competitions are combined to decide on the overall challenge winner.
The official entries are single person, lightweight, aerodynamic, high efficiency, electric-motor-driven vehicles with three wheels. They must meet specific design and safety rules. They are powered by advanced LiFeMnPO4 or SLA Pb-xx batteries with a sophisticated energy monitoring system. A petrol generator and charger are used to provide additional range to the batteries. Teams have prescribed choices of hybrid configurations, and must declare their choice prior to the competition. Students are supplied a complete set of official components that they must engineer and assemble. Speeds are software limited through the controller to insure utmost safety.
The competition is held in two phases. The first phase is the Electric Grand Prix (E-GP) competition whereby teams drive their electrically powered vehicles as far as possible for one hour on the closed loop course using only energy stored in their batteries. The winner of the E-GP is the team with the longest distance travelled during this period. The second phase is the Hybrid-Electric Grand Prix (HE-GP) competition in which teams use petrol to increase their range and run as far as possible in a period of three hours on the closed loop course. The winner of the HE-GP is the team with the longest distance traveled in the three hour. The results of the two competitions are combined to decide on the overall challenge winner.