Wuppertal – The Sonnenwagen Aachen e. V. association, which is made up of 45 students from RWTH Aachen University and Aachen University of Applied Sciences and has recently received funding from E/D/E, has set itself the goal of developing sustainable and future-oriented mobility. core project The association is developing a solar racing car that will take part in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2025 in the Australian desert this year and the iLumen European Solar Challenge in Belgium in 2026.
Promoting research and development
The solar racing car will be used to test the latest technologies under extreme conditions, for example over 3000 km through the Australian desert. The involvement of E/D/E Group as a new sponsor of this project underlines its commitment to research and development in the field of sustainable mobility. “At the same time, we are promoting the pioneering spirit of young engineers and technicians who develop technology in Germany and take it out into the world,” says Jennifer Träptau, Sustainability Officer at E/D/E Group. “For this reason, we have equipped Team Sonnenwagen with around 600 products from the FORMAT and FORTIS brands.”
Current status and outlook
The Sonnenwagen association is currently in the production process, which will soon be followed by the first test phases and test drives. The products provided by E/D/E are already in use – from the smallest drills, pliers, battery-powered lights and calipers to tool trolleys and work jackets and shoes. In order to create a link between sustainable technology and the digital procurement of professional trade supplies, the new solar trolley will bear the logo of E/D/E subsidiary Toolineo. Toolineo – the first address for trade supplies – is an online marketplace for professionaltools, where the products provided can be ordered with just a few clicks. On May 26, 2025, the time has finally come: the solar racing car will be presented to the public for the first time in Aachen – until then, more detailed information about the new solar racing car will remain under wraps for strategic reasons. At the beginning of June, Team Sonnenwagen will travel to Australia with the solar racing car and E/D/E equipment. The car will be tested on site and further adjustments will be made.
“We are delighted about the new cooperation with E/D/E Group. Together with them and our other partners, we want to rethink and change mobility and at the same time create a positive image of an emission-free future,” explains Leonie Brandt, 1st Chairwoman of Sonnenwagen Aachen e.V. The association’s mission is therefore to push the boundaries of sustainable mobility, develop innovative solutions and prove that solar-powered mobility already works today.
(Gender note: We at E/D/E attach great importance to gender equality. For reasons of better readability, however, the simultaneous use of the language forms male, female and diverse (m/f/d) is avoided. All personal designations apply equally to all genders).
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E/D/Esends FORMAT and FORTIS into the race
