The Deakin University Solar Team (DUST) is pushing the limits of innovation as they design and build a highly efficient Solar EV to be entered in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC). For Deakin University, entering the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is a platform to showcase strengths in additive manufacturing, engineering design and product development, and to provide exceptional learning experiences to students from both engineering and non-engineering disciplines. Team members gain invaluable hands-on experience in all aspects of designing, building, testing, managing, and marketing our solar car.
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Deakin first entered the BWSC in 2023. The partnership between Deakin and ACCIONA Energia saw the design of the vehicle ASCEND.
In 2023 ASCEND took 3rd place in the practicality wrap-up with a score of 72.8%. We were also proud to be awarded the Bridgestone E8 Award for Sustainable Design as well as an award for best public relations and media.
In 2025 Deakin entered the BWSC with a radically redesigned Solar EV, DUST1. With it’s lightweight 400kg design and custom student-built 15kW battery making the vehicle up to 4 times more efficient than a regular EV of the same size.
The documentary ‘Reaching New Limits for a Sustainable Future’ documents the student journey in 2023.
After launching our radically redesigned solar EV, DUST1, earlier this year, Deakin University’s solar car team took on the ultimate test of endurance, innovation and teamwork — the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC).
We are excited to announce that Vice-Chancellor, Professor Iain Martin, will join the Deakin University Solar Team at the official unveiling of our 2025 Solar Car, our entry in the prestigious Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC).
Thanks to the creative genius of Olivia D’Agostino, a talented 3rd-year Design student, our team and solar car are now rocking a sleek new logo that’s as cool as the car itself.
While 2023 marked the Deakin University’s first entry into this global event, it set a strong foundation for what lies ahead. Looking forward DUST has its sights firmly set on success in the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, scheduled for August this year.
