A look back at the SAAR-E project: an electric buggy in the desert!

In 2021, the students of the ITD student association are launching the Saar-e by ESTACA (Student Automotive Association Rally-Electric) project.

Objective: to form the first team of students to take an electric car on the Africa Eco Race.

In addition to the sporting challenge (navigation, crossing the dunes, etc.) and the technological challenge, this project had a humanitarian dimension, with material donations being made in the host country with the help of the ESTACAIDE association.

In 2023, after 3 years of hard work on the electrification of their all-terrain rally-raid vehicle, the 12-strong Saar-e by ESTACA team will be taking on the Carta Rally with an electric SSV (Side by Side Vehicle) - a world first!

The Buggy weighs 1,200 kg (including crew), and features 2 electric motorcycle motors (140 hp, 300 Newton meters of torque), 2 front or rear drive wheels, and a 4×4 configuration, allowing the driver to manage autonomy and energy.

The team's objective was to take the buggy to the dunes to test as many constraints as possible. To cope with this stage, the students had to fit a new gearbox adapted to this very different test from the first days of the rally. After 20 km, the vehicle got stuck in the dunes and they had to evacuate by helicopter while the sandstorm passed. All in all, the electric buggy covered 1200km in 6 stages ranging from 150 to 240km. The team more than achieved its goal!

Beyond the technical challenge, the team was able to bring 30 kg of school equipment, first-aid medical supplies and medicines to local associations.

In 2024, 2 students and an alumnus, Louis Gautier, class of 2023, look back on this adventure and reveal all the anecdotes in the "Le Grand Bain" podcast, which you can listen to here!