Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT Madras) students have designed, developed and built a solar-powered car that will now compete in a global challenge.
Called ‘Aagneya’, this car was developed by Team Agnirath from the Centre for Innovation (CFI), which is the largest student body in India. The car will compete in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2025, a global innovation challenge in solar technology that features a 3,000-kilometre drive from Darwin to Adelaide in Australia.
The challenge is scheduled to be held from 24th to 31st August 2025.
Held once every two years, the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge invites teams to drive with energy-efficient electric vehicle designed, engineered and built by them and powered through solar energy.
V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, unveiled the solar-powered vehicle at the campus on Friday, said that, “For this car to go to Australia, we need resources. We need to grow the Institute, all of your start-ups to flourish and we want all of you to give back to the Institute so that we can encourage more start-ups.”
Agnirath’s efforts began in 2021 with six passionate individuals and is now a multidisciplinary team of 38 students from diverse disciplines.
Sairam J, Business Module Lead, Team Agnirath and a third year Biological Science student, IIT Madras, said, “One of the most significant upgrades in Aagneya is a drastic weight reduction, which is made possible by transitioning entirely to a carbon fiber body, making it one of the largest hand layup processes ever performed by a student team in India. All these innovations result from over 15,000 hours of effort—spent brainstorming, prototyping, testing and refining. We are deeply grateful to all our sponsors, mentors and partners who helped bring Aagneya to life.”