The silent roar of Indonesia’s electric car stunned audiences at the Aichi Sky Expo, Tokoname, Nagoya. Universitas Gadjah Mada’s (UGM) Arjuna EV Team achieved a monumental milestone at the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) Japan 2025, held from Sep. 8 to 13.
Amid intense competition against 84 teams from six technologically advanced countries, Arjuna EV not only competed but also made history by becoming the first Indonesian team to complete all dynamic events in the Electric Vehicle (EV) Class.
The team’s excellence extended beyond the race track. Arjuna EV earned six awards, including 3rd Place in Three-Dimensional Drawing and 3rd Place in the Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) Award for the EV Class.
In addition, the team secured 1st Place Overall EV Team in Southeast Asia, Top 5 in Best Aerodynamics, Top 5 in Business Plan Presentation, and Top 7 in the Acceleration Event.
Jessie Puteri Gautama, Head of Operations for the Arjuna EV Team, emphasized that these achievements were the result of dedication and collaboration.
“This is the fruit of our team’s hard work of conducting research and design late into the night in our workshop, along with technical guidance from our supervising lecturers and crucial support from Swaragama Training Center and other external partners,” she said on Tuesday (Sep. 30).
According to Team Captain of the 13th generation Arjuna EV, M. Raihan Tsani, the key to success lies in strategic innovations embedded in the AF-05 car. Drawing on lessons learned from the previous competition in Australia, the team implemented critical upgrades.
“We upgraded the cooling system to maintain stable temperatures for the battery, motor, and controller under extreme conditions,” Tsani explained.
The 2022 Mechanical Engineering student added that the team reduced the car’s weight through chassis optimization and developed a more efficient aerodynamic package to increase downforce while reducing drag. A new telemetry system was also installed, enabling faster and more accurate real-time data monitoring and analysis.
“We have proven that our goal of building a resilient car for diverse conditions has been achieved. Our journey is far from over, but this accomplishment is an important stepping stone for our next chapter,” he concluded.
This outstanding achievement cements Arjuna EV’s status not only as a champion but also as a pioneer, paving the way for future Indonesian innovators and marking a new chapter of inspiration for the advancement of automotive technology in the country.
Author: Aldi Firmansyah
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographs: Arjuna UGM