Yacaranda Team of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) secured top positions at the PLN Innovation & Competition in Electricity (ICE) 2025, held on November 21 to 23, 2025, at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), Surabaya. The competition featured four categories and drew 41 teams representing 18 universities, totaling 200 students.
From the four contested categories, Yacaranda achieved victories in three: 1st Place in Fun Race Drag EV FFA, 2nd Place in Engineering Design Drag EV FFA, and 2nd Place in Speed Race Drag Modification.
Yacaranda’s technical leader, Lucky Ananta, stated that for the PLN ICE 2025 competition, the team deployed four vehicle units prepared for each category. One of the main challenges, he said, was the short preparation period: only three months to complete all four units.
“Three months is a very short time to build four units,” Ananta said on Thursday (Dec. 4).
General Manager of Yacaranda, Muhammad Hassya, highlighted that one of the team’s most unique units was the Drag EV FFA. The unit delivers exceptionally high power for an electric motorcycle.
Its design was developed in a highly structured manner, resulting in more stable acceleration. The Drag EV FFA is also equipped with multiple protection features, including an overcurrent cut-off system, waterproofing, and a firewall.
“Everything was designed with very robust risk management,” Hassya said.
Ananta expressed his hope that Yacaranda, which consists of UGM students from the Vocational College, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Philosophy, and Faculty of Economics and Business, will continue to grow as a multidisciplinary community that contributes broadly to society, particularly in the field of electric vehicle technology development.
“I hope Yacaranda can continue improving the quality of its electric vehicle units, especially our focus on formula cars,” he said.
Hassya shared similar aspirations, noting his hope that Yacaranda will be able to develop more advanced electric vehicles. Future generations, he added, should continue refining what has been accomplished or create innovations.
“We also hope to begin entering international competitions and create wider societal impact,” he said.
Author: Jesi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photograph: Yacaranda Team