Maharashtra: Versova engineering students build fully electric Formula-style race car

The fully electric single-seater race car designed and manufactured in-house by RGIT students at their Versova campus. Pics/By Special Arrangement

Students of Versova-based Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology have designed and built a fully electric, Formula-style race car entirely from scratch. The single-seater car, which is automatic and designed exclusively for track racing, has a top speed of around 72 kmph, with further optimisation expected during testing.

Aayush Palande, a student

The student team will represent the institute at Formula Bharat 2026, India's premier annual engineering design competition in which university students design, build and race their own Formula-style cars, with a focus on innovation, teamwork, performance in combustion and electric categories, cost-effectiveness and sustainable design.

The race car designed and manufactured by RGIT students. Pics/By Special Arrangement

A total of 21 students from mechanical, electrical and electronics engineering streams worked on the project, spending nearly a year on design, manufacturing, fabrication, testing and cost planning. Speaking to mid-day, student Aayush Palande said the project was the result of sustained teamwork and perseverance.

"Our car is finally ready after a year of hard work. This was a complete team effort. We designed and manufactured a fully electric race car meant only for racing tracks. Representing RGIT at Formula Bharat 2026 at the national level is a proud moment for all of us," he said.

Key features of the car

Students of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology with their fully electric race car built entirely from scratch for Formula Bharat 2026. Pics/By Special Arrangement

The car, named TR11, has been manufactured entirely in-house, starting from the chassis to the electrical systems and bodywork. It is powered by an Agni 119 R motor and runs on a 117.7 VDC battery capable of delivering up to 350 amps. The vehicle is not air-conditioned and has been built purely for performance on the track.

Team members and roles

Team leadership
Bhoomi Prashidh Narayan Gupta, Team manager
Kalyani Subhash Anumalla,
Team captain

Core leads
Aayush Jitesh Palande, Acceleration lead
Aditya Ganesh Sarode, Powertrain lead
Vedant Pandurang Patil, Suspension lead
Soham Ramesh Chandiwade, Drivetrain lead
Anish Ashok Masane, Brakes lead
Pranit Prakash Shetty, Low voltage lead

Team members
Sujal Kavita Prafulla Vairalkar, Statics
Dhruv Jayant Gade, High voltage
Krushna Nandkishor Sonawane, High holtage
Aaradhya Pravin Chavan, Low voltage
Om Ramesh Sonavane, Drivetrain
Yash Nilesh Golesar, Manufacturing
Aarya Yogesh Awasare, Acceleration
Anjaneya A Walawalkar, Steering
Sneha Raju Khedkar, Powertrain
Ankita Shailesh More
Devki Sanjay Surve
Rohan Gadge, Operations