Forze VI hydrogen powered electric race car

At this very moment, our team from the Delft University of Technology is developing the Forze VI. A fully electric race car powered by a hydrogen fuel cell system, developed by the team. With this technology the user is able to drive electric without the problem of long refueling time. The tank is filled with hydrogen gas in less than three minutes. The only emission is pure water and will be reused to cool the brakes during the race. More information about hydrogen fuel cells can be found on our website. This race car will be the most powerful (260 hp) and fastest (220 km/h) model since the team was founded in 2007. To be more precise, the Forze VI has six times more power than the Forze V, which was developed last year (100 kW compared to 15 kW electric fuel cell power).

The team produces almost every part in-house. The 70 students involved design, construct and assemble everything from suspension to bodywork. In this campaign you will find out why we are building this car and why you should join us in our journey to zero-emission racing. 

 Performance

• Top speed 220 km/h (136 mph)
• Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (0-60mph) < 4 seconds
• Weight: 800 kg (1760 lbs)

Why invest?

With the development of a seriously fast car, which is competitive with petrol powered cars, the team wants to show the potential of hydrogen technology. This technology can be a future solution to powering vehicles and other applications. We believe this car will attract the attention of the general public and create the desired awareness. The time has come to boost the development of this hydrogen technology and promote it in such a way the public forgets about poluting combustion cars. Only with your support we will be able to finish the car in time to compete on international race tracks such as Zolder (Belgium) and the Nürburgring  (Germany) this summer. The race track has always been the home to newly developed technologies. It is where the famous quote ´race on sunday, sell on monday´ kicks in. At this moment, the design is finished and the car has the potential to become a beast! The powertrain (in this case hydrogen electric, with an energy storage system) is unique in motorsports and a world's first. We will only build one Forze VI, which will be used for this racing season. The main components will be used in the next car, which will be an evolution of this concept!

As you can imagine, this project is a big step for the team, both technically and financially. Investors are not only a necessity to enable us to race. In broader a perspective, you invest in a clean solution against greenhouse gases. 
Besides crowdfunding, a lot of materials and funding come directly from support from companies. Check http://www.forze-delft.nl/index.php/sponsors to find out which companies are already supporting Forze!

What is Forze?

Forze is a student project supported by the Delft University of Technology (the Netherlands) and many international sponsors. Forze is short for Formula Zero; racing with zero emission. The students of the team focus on the development and promotion of new sustainable technology. Every invested Euro is used to produce the car. The whole project is carried by devoted team members who work voluntarily on the Forze VI for a full year. Together with our sponsors, we are ready to begin production of the Forze VI.

The team has three main goals:

• Promote clean hydrogen technology as a possible future power source in automobiles.
• Show and explaine the potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology on and off the race track.
  
• Educate and support students in the team

Complete fuel cell system of the Forze VI

Goal

The goal of this campaign is to raise €25,000 so we are able to ensure the Forze VI will be finished by this summer (2013). With this money the team will be able to buy the electric motors & motorcontrollers which can deliver 190 kW's (260 hp) to the rear wheels. These motors have an excellent power to weight ratio and weigh only 25 kg's a piece. The car will compete in the Caterham Cup, where it will race against petrol powered Lotus 7 type race cars. The main point of attention will be the record attempt on the Nürburgring Nordschleife (also known as the Green Hell) for hydrogen powered cars.

If the car equals the calculated performance, this 'Green Beast' will be able to take over the lap record from Nissan. But for this, we need your help!

Your reward

As a reward for the contribution to our team, investors will receive perks varying from a good old pat on the back, to a test drive in last years' car on our test location. You can also have your name on the Forze VI livery (sticker layout) or be a VIP during one of the races. You will be assisted by one of our team members and enjoy a VIP lunch + drinks. Close to the action, in the pit box and near the track. Last but not least, it's possible to get a Forze T-shirt which is designed exclusively for this campaign.

Past achievements

• The Forze I won the first ever fuel cell race during the Formula Zero Competition, 2008.
• The Forze III defeated a petrol powered go-kart.
• The Forze IV set a world record on the 1/8th mile acceleration for lightweight fuel cell cars (10,456 seconds).
• Forze V: Was the first hydrogen fuel cell powered racecar to compete in an official Formula Student competition.
• Lightweight fuel cell system developed in-house, to power the Forze IV and optimized in the Forze V.
• Only student team who develops high power automotive fuel cell systems to power race cars.

Forze V in action during the Formula Student event at the Silverstone circuit, 2012.

If you would like to help us, but cannot help financially, there are other ways to help the team. Spread the news about this campaign, share the link on Facebook, Twitter and keep in touch by applying for the monthly newsletter on www.forze-delft.nl.

Thank you very much and keep a close eye on the Green Beast.

To support the team using this website, you need a PayPal account. If you don't have an account yet, you can easily create an account using IDeal via www.money2.nl Just follow the instructions on the website! If you have any questions or problems, contact our support at indiegogo@forze-delft.nl