TEKNOFEST 2026 Electric Vehicle Races Kick Off in Gebze
56 finalist teams are fiercely competing in the International Electric Vehicle Races that started at the TÜBİTAK Gebze Campus.
Competing in the Electromobile and Hydromobile categories of the International Electric Vehicle Races held within the scope of TEKNOFEST 2026, 56 finalist teams are racing on the 1,370-meter track at the TÜBİTAK Gebze Campus between August 31 and September 6.
Scope and Purpose of the Races
Bringing together high school, associate degree, and undergraduate students around electric vehicle technologies, the competition aims to provide young people with experience in engineering, design, system integration, and driving performance.
Electromobile and Hydromobile Categories
The International Electric Vehicle Races are held in two categories, Electromobile and Hydromobile, based on the energy sources utilized by the vehicles.
While vehicles operating solely on battery energy compete in the Electromobile category, vehicles utilizing hydrogen fuel cells in addition to batteries contend in the Hydromobile category.
Application and Finalist Statistics
While a total of 315 teams and 3,071 students participated in the application process across the two categories, 56 teams and 1,116 students earned the right to compete in the final stage.
Technological Maturity and Safety Stages
During the competition process, finalist teams prove the technological maturity and safety criteria of their vehicles by passing through various stages such as development videos, technical design reports, and brake tests.
Track Features and Evaluation Criteria
The final stage is held counter-clockwise on a special track that is 1,370 meters long and features 9 turns located at the TÜBİTAK Gebze Campus.
In addition to the speed and driving performance of the vehicles, being able to carry a 75-kilogram passenger in the passenger seat is also among the evaluation criteria.
Awards and Rankings
At the end of the competition, the teams that take first place in both categories will be awarded 250,000 TL, the second-place teams 200,000 TL, and the third-place teams 175,000 TL.