MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (08/06/2025) — The University of Minnesota student-led Solar Vehicle Project team will compete in the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge this August in Australia. The University of Minnesota is one of just three teams from the United States competing this year.
The 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge will start on Aug. 24 in Darwin, which is located in the north central area of Australia. Teams will then race approximately 1,900 miles south to Adelaide where the competition will end on Aug. 29. Prior to the race, the team will have their car inspected, tested on the track, and judged for design. Students will also participate in a symposium with other global solar innovators.
Previously, the team won second place in the Cruiser Class in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in October 2023 with their car, named “Gaia,” matching the best performance by any U.S. team in the international competition’s history. In July 2022, the team took first place in the Multi-Occupant Vehicle Class at the American Solar Challenge.
