Copies of the rules
For copies of the rules, with the appendices and team registration pages, email Peter Teertstra.
1. Electrical Vehicle Challenge
Students, with the assistance of their technology teachers or other mentors, design and build battery powered vehicles capable of carrying a driver the maximum distance on a single charge. The Electric Vehicle (EV) Challenge consists of two endurance races: a 12 V race and a 24 V race.
1.1 Mission Statement |
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The Waterloo Electric Vehicle Challenge mission statement is to:
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1.2 Eligible Vehicles to Enter Competition |
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The goal of the EV Challenge is to provide students with an opportunity to design and build an electric vehicle according to specifications presented in the competition rules. This goal cannot be achieved when schools purchase and use pre-manufactured vehicle kits or bring the same vehicle back to the competition every year. In order to encourage teams to provide design and fabrication experiences for their student members, the following rules will be enforced for all entries; 1. The use of pre-designed vehicle plans and/or pre-fabricated vehicle kits is prohibited. The necessary engineering knowledge and technical information will be gained through research and experience, and utilizing the fabrication knowledge and skills of the team members and their mentors.
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1.3 EV Challenge Website |
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The EV Challenge is available at uwaterloo.ca/evchallenge. It is kept up-to-date through the year and contains race results, registration instructions, and other important information for teams. In particular, attempts are made to provide advice to teams on anticipated changes to the rules prior to the release of these official rules. |
2. Registration
2.1 Online Registration |
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Teams must complete an online registration to compete at the Waterloo EV Challenge. This is done on the EV Challenge website and must be completed at least one week prior to the competition date. There is no cost to register. |
2.2 Registration Limit |
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For 2022 there will be one 12 V race and one 24 V race. Teams are allowed to bring 2 cars to the competition and there is a limit of three (3) entries in the competition, as follows:
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2.3 On-site registration |
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In addition to the online registration, teams must complete an on-site registration between 8 and 9 am on Saturday or, for local teams, 4 to 6 pm Friday. Teams are expected to provide the following documents during this time:
See the appendix for copies of these forms. A certificate of insurance will be required for any team that is not affiliated with a Ontario Secondary School or an Ontario Catholic Secondary School. This includes college teams and community teams. |
2.4 Early Load-in & Registration |
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3. Competition Classes
There are two different classes within the competition; one for high school students and one for college students. Each class builds their vehicle and competes according to a different set of guidelines, as follows:
3.1 High School Team |
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A high school team is defined as a group of students that are currently enrolled in high school working together to build and compete with a vehicle. A team does not have to be associated with a particular school, but must have a teacher, parent or mentor acting as a supervisor for the team. High school teams may enter the same car year into the competition that was raced in previous years. There is currently no cost limitations imposed on high school teams. All vehicles must be designed and built according to the Vehicle Design Rules. |
3.2 College Team |
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A college team is defined as a group of students that are currently enrolled in a college program working together to build and compete with a vehicle. A college team must be associated with a particular school and must have a teacher acting as a supervisor for the team. All vehicles built and raced by college teams must be designed and built according to the Vehicle Design Rules.
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4. Vehicle Design Rules
All vehicles competing in the EV Challenge must conform to the following design guidelines. (These have been taken primarily from the Electrathon America design guidelines and adapted for use in the EV Challenge)
4.1 Dimensions |
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4.1.1 The distance between the tires must be at least 0.60 m, center to center. 4.1.2 The vehicle may be no wider than 1.2 m at its widest part. 4.1.3 The maximum vehicle length is 3.5 m. |
4.2 Configuration |
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4.2.1. Vehicles must be three- or four-wheeled. All wheels must be load-bearing and must remain in contact with the ground at all times. |
4.3 Driver Position |
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4.3.1 The driver must be in a sitting position. A kneeling or head-first position is not permitted. 4.3.2 Arms and legs must remain within the vehicle body structure during normal operation of the vehicle. 4.3.3 The driver must be able to exit the car independently in less than 1 minute. |
4.4 Frame |
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4.4.1 All vehicles must have frame members that protect the driver in the event of a collision from any direction. This includes having the frame extend beyond the driver's feet and having adequate side protection for the driver. 4.4.2 Frames mst be constructed using steel or aluminum. Members may be joined by welding or with bolts. Non-structural frame members may be constructed using other materials, including wood, plastic, composites, etc. |
4.5 Roll Bar |
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4.5.1 There must be a roll bar that extends 50 mm over the top of the helmet of the tallest driver, and protect them throughout their full range of motion. It must be constructed so that, in the event of a roll-over, the driver’s head is fully protected. 4.5.2 The roll bar must be made from steel or aluminum, welded or bolted construction. 4.5.3 The roll bar must be triangulated with at least three legs or panel equivalent. |
4.6 Vehicle Body |
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4.6.1. The vehicle body is only required to be structurally strong if the frame does not provide adequate protection from an impact. If the frame is not sufficient, then the body must be constructed to protect the driver in the event of an impact. 4.6.2 The body must have a floor to prevent the driver from contacting the ground. 4.6.3 The driver’s legs and feet must be enclosed to prevent them from leaving the vehicle in the event of an accident. 4.6.4 Self-tapping screws are prohibited on vehicles as they can loosen, fall on the race track and cause tire failure. Machine screws or rivets are both suitable fasteners. |
4.7 Stability |
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4.7.1 The vehicle must be stable at rest, while cornering, braking, and at top speed. 4.7.2 Leaning vehicles are not permitted. |
4.8 Steering |
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4.8.1. The vehicle’s steering must allow for a minimum turning radius of 5 m. |
4.9 Brakes & axles |
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4.9.1 At least two wheels must have brakes. 4.9.2 Brakes must be fitted to two wheels of the same axle – either two on the front or two on the back, depending on vehicle configuration. 4.9.3 The two brakes must have separate actuation cables. If both brakes are actuated by a single hand or foot lever, then both cables should be attached to the lever. 4.9.4 The vehicle must not roll if the brakes are applied. 4.9.5 Axles supported at both ends must have a diameter of at least 10 mm. 4.9.6 Axles supported only on one end must have a diameter of at least 12 mm. 4.9.7 Safety wire or cotter pins must be used to secure all wheel axle nuts. Nylon lock |
4.10 Tires |
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4.10.1. Tires must be inflatable. 4.10.2. Vehicles should be designed with at least 40 mm ground clearance. 4.10.3. The driver must not be in a position to come in contact with the tires, wheels, or spokes. |
4.11 Batteries |
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4.11.1 The required battery for both the 12 V heat races and 24 V race is the Optima yellow top SC35DA. No other battery may be used in the competition. 4.11.2 Batteries must not be modified or heated. 4.11.3 Batteries must be securely attached to the vehicle in such a manner that they are protected from a roll-over or impact, and, in the event of an accident, will not leave the vehicle. Examples include a metal bracket or a ratchet strap. |
4.12 Electrical system |
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4.12.1 A fuse or circuit breaker is required in any electrical circuit between the battery and any electrical device. 4.12.2 All fuses or circuit breakers should be mounted as close as practically possible to the source of power. 4.12.3 All fuses or breakers should be sized to protect the wiring to which they are connected. |
4.13 Isolation Switch |
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4.13.1 An isolation (kill switch) is required on all vehicles. This switch must have a break current rating that exceeds the maximum current draw of the vehicle. 4.13.2 The switch must be located in the main positive power cable, between the battery and any motor controller. 4.13.3 The driver must be able to actuate the switch while in driving position, without reaching outside the vehicle. Race officials must be able to actuate the switch from outside the vehicle without reaching in. Two separate switches may be used. 4.13.4 The switch must be in a colour contrasting the rest of the vehicle, preferably red. 4.13.5 A circuit breaker may be used as the isolation switch. |
4.14 Wiring |
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4.14.1. Wiring must be well-insulated and securely attached to the frame or body. All wiring must be visible for inspection for the entire length of the wiring runs. All wiring must be kept free from moving parts and protected from chafing. 4.14.2. Wiring that passes through a hole with sharp edges or through sheet metal must be protected by an insulating grommet or other suitable device. 4.14.3. Terminals must be secured so they will not come loose or short out during a competition. 4.14.4. No part of the system may use the vehicle frame as a conductor. The frame must not be grounded. |
4.15 Motor transmission |
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4.15.1. All vehicles must only be powered by electric motors. 4.15.2. All gears, chains, and sprockets must be covered. Strong material i.e. steel, aluminum, or Lexan must be used in constructing the guards. The guards should cover all moving parts in such a way that a finger or hand cannot reach them. |
4.16 Motor controller |
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4.16.1. Any type of power controller is allowed. 4.16.2. Power to the motor must be controlled by the driver, and turn off automatically when the driver releases the accelerator (‘dead man’ cut-off). 4.16.3. Remote control of a vehicle is not permitted. 4.16.4. Computers are permitted on the vehicle if they present information only or collect data. The driver must have complete manual control of the vehicle. |
4.17 Mirrors |
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4.17.1. Vehicles must be equipped with at least 8 square inches of usable mirror surface area. Mirrors are required on both sides of the vehicle 4.17.2. The mirrors must allow the driver to see clearly to the rear on both sides of the vehicle. 4.17.3. Electronic sensing devices, such as video cameras and monitors, may not be used as a substitute for rear-view mirrors. |
4.18 Safety belts |
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4.18.1. All vehicles must be equipped with a five-point automotive seat belt system. 4.18.2. Seat belts must be mounted to a structural point at least 3 inches below the top of the driver’s waist. 4.18.3. The shoulder harness must be attached to a structural point at least 3 inches below the driver’s shoulder. |
4.19 Helmets |
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4.19.1. All drivers must wear a helmet that is DOT approved for motorcycles. Eye protection - shield, goggles or safety glasses - is required at all times. |
4.20 Driving attire |
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4.20.1. Drivers must wear long sleeve shirts, pants, closed toe shoes and gloves. 4.20.2. Hair must be contained so that it is unable to reach the drive train. |
4.21 Numbers |
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4.21.1 Vehicles must display numbers at least six inches in height using contrasting colours to the vehicle. |
5. Safety
Pursuant to the mission of the EV Challenge, safety is of utmost importance during the event. Any cars or drivers deemed to be unsafe will not be allowed to participate in the race. These decisions will be made by the race organizers, the Head Marshal and the Lead Safety Inspector.
5.1 Safety inspection |
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The safety inspection will verify that the car has been constructed according to the Vehicle Design Rules and that the driver has the required safety equipment. If a car fails the safety inspection, that car will not be allowed to compete. All rulings by the judges are final. If a car is repaired, a second safety inspection will be conducted. The race will not be delayed for this process. Prior to the competition, the team’s teacher / advisor will complete the Safety Inspection Checklist form (found in the Appendix) by initialing each line to confirm the team has met the requirements. The team will present the completed form at the on-site event registration and the judge will refer to the form during inspection of the vehicle. The requirements to pass the stationary inspection are as follows.
Please note that this not a complete set of rules to be followed and additional inspection items may be applied as necessary. These rules represent the most significant hazards teams will face. For a full set of rules, see Section 4 Vehicle Design Guidelines. |
5.2 Event safety |
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During the event, extensive arrangements are made to promote the safety of all participants. These include:
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6. Race Rules
6.1 Race schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 12 volt class race will be 60 minutes in duration and the 24 volt class race will be 90 minutes in duration. Each race will end when the time is complete or when none of the cars are able to continue. Time is kept by the race organizers and will broadcast to teams through a public webcast. Saturday
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6.3 Driver requirements & mandatory pit stops |
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Each team must make two pit stops during the first 60 minutes of the race (both 12 volt and 24 volt classes) to change the driver of the car, as follows. 1. 12 V drivers must be team members. They must be of high school age. 2. 24 V drivers must be team members and have a valid G1 license, or equivalent. 3. Teams competing in multiple races (12 V heats and 24 V) must register and use a minimum number of qualified drivers as follows:
4. At least two different drivers must be used by each team during each race (12 and 24 volt). It is expected that each driver will complete approximately 1/3 of the scheduled race duration. 5. If a team chooses to have only two drivers, they must still perform two driver changes during the race. The driver who is re-entering the race must completely exit the car and place both feet on the ground before re-entering the car. 6. Each driver must complete one full lap before beginning another driver change. 7. Teams are allowed to change the driver if they have stopped in the pit area to repair a mechanical problem. 8. Teachers/advisors must disclose hearing or uncorrected vision impairments, including colour-blindness (particularly red/green), of their drivers to the organizers at least one week prior to the race. Race controls (i.e., flags) are colour-coded and this can present a safety hazard if unaddressed. Every effort will be made to allow the driver to participate, if participation can be done safely. |
6.4 Cell phones & communication devices |
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Compliance with the following sections may require additional design changes to the vehicle. Communication devices must not distract the driver. |
6.5 Contravention of rules |
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The race organizers, in cooperation with the Head Marshal and the Lead Safety Inspector, has the right and authority to remove from the competition any driver, vehicle or team that has demonstrated a lack of respect for the rules of the competition or poses a safety risk for themselves or others. |
6.6 Scoring |
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The finishing order for each race will be determined based on the number of laps that each car completed during the scheduled time. Scoring will be performed as follows.
(1) Location. Identify the location where the transponder will be located. This should be a flat area near the front of the vehicle where the transponder can “see” the scoring loop above it without obstruction. The transponder must be (2) Power. The transponder must be wired to one of the vehicles 12 volt batteries directly and not wired into any vehicle system, including the main power switch or E-stop. It may not be powered using a separate battery pack. It is the team’s responsibility to provide wiring from the battery to the transponder and attach to the connector provided to the team prior to the competition. Proper transponder wiring will be checked by inspection and must be approved before a car will be allowed to compete. (3) Operation. Once connected to a 12-volt battery, transponder function can be verified by a brief flash of a red or white LED light, visible at the top of the transducer. Once a transponder is connected and functioning prior to the race, it should be left plugged in – a transponder only draws a few milliamps to operate so it will not affect the number of laps that a car will complete during the race. (4) Checking. Transponder function will be checked at the start of the race by having each team push their car slowly under the scoring loop, located at the start/finish line. Any non-functioning transponders will be repaired or replaced at
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7. Awards
The EV Challenge provides awards as follows
7.1 Race Awards (High School) |
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Awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for both the 12 V and 24 V races are presented to the schools with teams having the most total laps, as follows: (1) 1st place will be awarded to the school with the team that completed the most laps according to the electronic scoring system. |
7.2 Interstate Batteries Rookie Team Award (High School) |
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The Interstate Batteries Rookie Team Award is given to the team competing for the first time at the EV Challenge whose vehicle scored the most number of laps in one of the 12 V heat races. |
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7.5 Race Awards (College) |
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Awards for 1st,
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