The 13th Indonesia Electric Car Competition (KMLI) 2024 concluded on Nov. 1 at Politeknik Negeri Bandung, West Java. With the theme “Electric Cars as Safe and Environmentally Friendly Future Vehicles,” KMLI XIII aimed to boost student creativity in transportation technology and raise awareness about global environmental and energy issues.
The Yacaranda UGM team entered its electric vehicle, Super Sekip EV 3 Neo, and triumphed by winning four out of five competition categories, earning the title of Overall Champion.
This victory is remarkable as Yacaranda outperformed 20 other teams from universities and polytechnics across Indonesia.
General Manager Mohammad Wildan Kholilulloh explained the advantages of the Super Sekip EV 3 Neo, a formula-style electric car developed by Yacaranda, compared to other vehicles in the competition.
He highlighted the importance of the frame and suspension design before building the car and meticulous attention to the electrical components, including the motor, battery, and support systems, to help the driver perform in all events.
The team also paid close attention to aesthetics.
“The car was developed over eight months, followed by two months of maintenance,” Kholilulloh said during an online interview on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.
Yacaranda UGM comprises 38 students from various faculties and disciplines, including the Vocational College, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and Faculty of Philosophy.
The team proved that strong collaboration and teamwork across divisions were vital in regaining this year’s overall champion title.
Kholilullah explained that the team’s diversity was intentional, providing members with opportunities to develop technical and non-technical skills that would be valuable in their future careers.
“We have a technical division with sub-divisions in body & frame, drive & powertrain, engineering design, electrical, and engine. The non-technical division includes public relations & development, media & information, secretary & finance, and sponsorship,” he said.
Regarding their success, Kholilullah shared the team’s challenges during pre-event preparations and the competition.
The biggest obstacle was the short preparation time. The competition announcement came in mid-September, giving them less than a month to train.
“We practiced regularly at Balairung UGM and Mandala Krida Stadium to refine our slalom and endurance tests,” he explained.
He also acknowledged the support of Dr. Sugiyanto, the team coordinator, who assisted in all activities before and after the competition.
Their hard work paid off, and although they did not win in the braking category, Yacaranda achieved 2nd place in the Hill Climb category with 10.350 Watt/kg, 2nd place in Slalom, 3rd place in Acceleration (1.82 m/s²), 3rd place in Endurance with a total energy of 33.95 Wh and energy consumption of 9.7 Wh/km.
Kholilullah emphasized that the competition was about winning, perseverance, teamwork, and strategy.
“We faced the track challenges with calmness and focus, as every experience is valuable and helps us improve,” he said.
He encouraged other students to stay confident, support each other, and remember that every effort is already extraordinary.
“Use competitions as opportunities to learn and gain experience. Best of luck for us, and I hope we can bring home the best results,” Kholilullah concluded.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Lintang
Photos: Yacaranda UGM