Araba MotorSport’s Electric Evolution

Araba MotorSport was founded in 2015 at the Engineering School of Vitoria-Gasteiz with the goal of competing in MotoStudent, an international university-level motorcycle competition. After participating in the petrol category for two editions, the team embraced a new challenge developing its first electric motorcycle and making the leap to the electric prototype competition in 2019.

Now, as the team prepares for its third participation in the electric category in 2025, the focus is sharper than ever: to refine the prototype, push technological boundaries, and compete at the highest level. With determination and innovation at its core, Araba Motorsport aims to secure top positions on the leaderboard and fight for victory on the track.

The team counts with 33 members for this edition, more than ever. This translates into a more efficient work and into more satisfying results. The team’s main goal is to win the competition, and to keep that dream alive, each member puts all their effort and motivation into developing the best pieces and systems.

Araba MotorSport is divided in four departments: mechanical, which is in charge of designing and manufacturing the structural of the prototype, regarding the chassis, sub-chassis or the swingarm, between much more; marketing, which is responsible of creating content for social media and managing the team’s image; finances, which organizes and follows the costs of every department; and electronics, which is in charge of developing all the electric system that the prototype will carry. This includes key systems such as the battery pack or the installation and programming of the PCBs.

Battery Management System

Electric batteries made with lithium-ion cells can be highly dangerous if not handled in a controlled and safe manner. Due to their high energy density, improper management can lead to overheating, short circuits, or even fires. Therefore, it is crucial to implement strict safety protocols in their design, manufacturing, and use to ensure optimal performance without compromising safety.

For this reason, electric batteries are typically equipped with a Battery Management System (BMS) to monitor and control all critical parameters. The BMS plays a crucial role in ensuring the battery’s safety, efficiency, and longevity by regulating temperature, voltage, and current, preventing potential risks such as overheating or short circuits.

Because of this, Araba MotorSport decided to design and fabricate its own BMS during its first edition instead of buying a commercial one, to ensure it perfectly met the team’s specific requirements. Three editions later, the team has developed an advanced BMS capable of measuring battery pack voltages and balancing the cells using a passive balancing system, fabricated with the support of Eurocircuits.

This custom BMS continuously monitors each cell’s voltage, temperature, and current, allowing the system to quickly detect any imbalances or anomalies. By employing a passive balancing method, it dissipates excess charge from cells that are at a higher voltage, effectively equalizing the state of charge across the entire battery pack. This approach not only optimizes overall performance but also prolongs battery life and enhances safety by preventing issues like overcharging or thermal runaway. Additionally, real-time data feedback from the BMS enables the team to perform proactive maintenance and fine-tune the system’s performance, ensuring reliability even under the demanding conditions of competitive racing.

Thanks to the support from Eurocircuits, we were able to fabricate the BMS PCB and thoroughly test it to ensure its correct functionality. The rapid delivery of PCBs and the excellent quality of their products played a crucial role in the development of our motorcycle, helping us achieve the necessary components to compete at the highest level in the upcoming competition this October.

For more information please visit the Araba Motorsport website.