“VUT engineering students secured second place at the 2026 Eco Vehicle Race, showcasing innovation, technical excellence and practical engineering skills.”
04 September 2026 | Story by: Thomas Rasehloka | Picture: Siphephelo Dlamini
4 minutes read time.
Vaal University of Technology (VUT) engineering students showcased their innovation, technical expertise and teamwork on the national stage, securing second place in the 2.0 category of the 2026 Eco Vehicle Race.
Representing the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, VUT entered two teams, Team A and Team B, in the three-day competition hosted by the University of the Free State (UFS) at its Bloemfontein Campus from 27 to 29 August 2026. Team A’s impressive performance earned the university a podium finish as students proudly flew the VUT 60th Anniversary flag against competitors from UFS QwaQwa, UFS South Campus, UFS Bloemfontein, Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and the Central University of Technology (CUT).
More than a competition, the Eco Vehicle Race provided students with a valuable opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world environment while gaining hands-on experience in emerging mobility technologies.
The first two days of the event were dedicated to training and safety inspections, while 29 August marked the official race day. Students competed using self-assembled eco-friendly vehicles in the Smart Lap and Endurance races across the 1.0 and 2.0 categories.
Competing in the 2.0 category, VUT’s Team A secured second place overall, finishing behind UFS QwaQwa, while CUT claimed third position.
For Mr Carlos Nshimba, Acting Head of Department for Electrical Engineering, the competition’s greatest value lay in the practical learning experience it offered students.
“The aim is to expose students to the technology that will power mobility in the future while equipping them with valuable technical and practical skills. The race is simply the cherry on top; the most important part happened before the race, where students gained hands-on experience in programming, building Bluetooth-controlled cars, charging stations and the cars themselves,” said Mr Nshimba.
VUT’s participation followed the university’s attendance at the 2025 event, where Mr Nshimba attended as a guest to gain insight into the competition and explore opportunities for future involvement.
He said this year’s experience enabled students to acquire new technical skills while embracing the challenge of designing, building and competing with their own vehicles.
Beyond engineering expertise, the competition also tested leadership, communication and teamwork. Team A leader Mr Doctor Mkhonza and Team B leader Tshegofatso “Mash” Makhado highlighted patience and collaboration as critical factors in managing their teams.
Ms Makhado said team leaders completed a course on How to Be an Engineering Mediator, which helped equip them to manage team dynamics effectively throughout the project.
Reflecting on Team A’s achievement, she emphasised the spirit of unity that defined VUT’s participation.
“A win for Team A is a win for the team. We are from the same university, and we had to divide ourselves to improve our chances of winning,” said Ms Makhado.
Mr Mkhonza attributed the team’s success to careful planning, research and effective communication.
“Team A had to study how previous teams were doing it in the race and divide the laps between the two drivers. Most importantly, communication within the team is what helped us claim second place,” said Mr Mkhonza.
The achievement was further rewarded with a R2,500 voucher sponsored by RS Components. The voucher will be used to purchase laboratory equipment to support student learning and innovation.
Ms Karen Scheepers, UFS Assistant Director: Student Affairs and one of the competition’s core organisers, described the event as a significant milestone for UFS Bloemfontein, particularly as the campus does not yet have a full Engineering faculty.
She noted that the Eco Vehicle programme was established a decade ago and that 2026 marks the final year of the 1.0 race. The 2.0 category, now in its second year, represents the future direction of the competition as organisers continue to expand participation.
“We are hoping for more teams next year and for all universities to join in this exciting race. We see 2027 being bigger than all the races we have had, as the programme continues to show growth,” said Ms Scheepers.
For VUT, the second-place finish reflects the University’s commitment to practical learning, innovation and industry-relevant engineering education. The experience has strengthened the students’ technical capabilities and laid a solid foundation as they prepare to return to the competition and challenge for top honours in future races.
For information on joining the 2027 Eco Vehicle Race, please contact Ms Refilwe Mwale at refilwem1@vut.ac.za