EVNXT

2026 Sasol Solar Challenge Team Profile

Team Name	EVNXT
Car Name	Optimus
Class/Category	Innovation
Country	South Africa
Newcomer/Veteran Participant	Veteran Participant

About Team

EVNXT is a South African sustainable mobility and engineering innovation team focused on developing practical solutions for the future of transportation. Founded in 2023, the team brings together young engineers, technicians, and innovators from diverse backgrounds who share a passion for electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy technologies, and sustainable transport systems.

Based in Secunda, South Africa, EVNXT designs and builds innovative energy-efficient vehicles that demonstrate how science, technology, and engineering can help create a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable future. Through participation in the Sasol Solar Challenge and other advanced vehicle competitions, EVNXT aims to showcase local engineering talent while inspiring the next generation of STEM innovators.

Our mission is to accelerate innovation in sustainable mobility and prove that world-class vehicle development can emerge from grassroots engineering initiatives.

About Vehicle

Optimus is EVNXT’s flagship New Energy Vehicle (NEV), combining electric vehicle technology with a highly efficient hybrid drivetrain. Inspired by the lightweight Lotus Seven design philosophy, Optimus is engineered to maximize performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability.

The vehicle features dual electric hub motors capable of speeds between 90 and 110 km/h, supported by regenerative braking technology that recovers energy during deceleration. A compact 250cc internal combustion engine operates in a parallel hybrid configuration, extending vehicle range while reducing energy consumption.

Built using 3D-printed body panels reinforced with fiberglass, reused automotive components, and repurposed LiFePO₄ battery cells, Optimus demonstrates how sustainable engineering and circular economy principles can be applied to modern transportation.

Optimus serves as a real-world platform for testing innovative mobility technologies while showcasing practical solutions for affordable, low-emission transportation.

Why We Race

At EVNXT, we race because innovation thrives when ideas are tested under real-world conditions. The Sasol Solar Challenge provides a unique opportunity to demonstrate advanced electric vehicle technology, sustainable engineering practices, and renewable energy innovation on one of Africa’s most demanding mobility platforms.

We believe that the future of transportation depends on continuous improvement, bold experimentation, and collaboration. By competing, we challenge ourselves to build more efficient vehicles, develop smarter energy systems, and inspire communities to embrace sustainable mobility solutions.

Our participation goes beyond competition. We race to promote STEM education, encourage technological innovation, and demonstrate how South African engineering talent can contribute to the global transition toward clean transportation and renewable energy.

Every kilometre travelled is an opportunity to inspire future engineers, advance sustainable mobility, and prove that practical innovation can create lasting positive change.