Team Delft – Eco-Runner –

A glimpse into the student team that built the world’s most efficient hydrogen car

Last June, Team Delft Eco-Runner set an official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ record by covering a distance of 2488.5 kilometers with their hydrogen car, holding around 950 grams of hydrogen in the tank. This achievement was made possible by a team of only 24 students, the majority of whom dedicated a full year to building, designing, and promoting the hydrogen car. The new team, Eco-Runner XIV, has since taken over with new goals. They aim to create a street-legal car and set new records, this time on public roads. The question remains: how does an entirely new team accomplish this within one year?

One of the team’s crucial aspects is its organizational structure. The team is divided into departments, with each department responsible for a specific aspect of the car or related tasks. The current team consists of five departments.

Management

Like any functional team, Eco-Runner has a management team consisting of four individuals: a Team Manager, Project Manager, Operations Manager, and Chief Engineer. The management is responsible for maintaining an overview, streamlining the team process, and facilitating other team members to focus on their primary tasks.

Operations

Operations is a diverse department responsible for everything related to building the car. Partnerships Managers find and maintain partnerships with external entities, while Event Managers handle all events organized by Eco-Runner or attended externally. Additionally, the PR Manager manages social media and press releases, the Scalability Manager oversees the Hydrogen Podcast and crucial updates in the hydrogen world, and a new role was introduced this year: the Certifications Manager, responsible for checking all regulations involved in making the car street-legal.

Bodywork

This engineering department is responsible for the entire exterior of the car, known as the body. They optimize the weight-to-power ratio and make the car as aerodynamic as possible. Eco-Runner XIII’s car experiences less air resistance than a Tour de France cyclist. The department includes the Chief Body, two Structures Engineers, an Aerodynamics Engineer, and a Body Production Engineer.

Vehicle Dynamics

Vehicle Dynamics is the smallest department but has a crucial role. They ensure all wheels and the steering operate as efficiently as possible. Small details, such as making two carbon wheels last year, contribute to extra efficiency. Details like these allow Eco-Runner to stand out. The department consists of a Chief Vehicle Dynamics and two Vehicle Dynamics Engineers.

PES (Powertrain & Electronics)

PES is responsible for all internal technology of the car, including the fuel cell, motor, and all electronics. Without this department, the car would not move. It serves as the beating heart of the vehicle. The department consists of a Chief PES, Fuel Cell Engineer, and two Electrical Engineers.

Overall, this division allows each team member to fully focus on their specialized task, with management maintaining an overview. While the task division may sound separate, the departments (especially the engineering departments) collaborate closely in reality. This year, everyone is even working together in the same software environment, streamlining communication and ensuring visibility into each other’s decisions. This team structure has contributed to the success of past Eco-Runner teams, and there is confidence it will continue to be successful in the future. Onward to new records and the complete development of hydrogen cars.