Hundreds of student teams and hundreds of innovative cars, but only one chance to win. That is the Shell Eco Marathon, the biggest eco race in Europe. The Green Team Twente is ready for the challenge. Next week they will enter their new hydrogen car H2∞ in the Shell Eco Marathon (SEM) in London with the hopes of scoring one of the top three spots. 

Yes, you might already know that the Green Team is a student team at the University of Twente dedicated to building a fuel-efficient hydrogen car, but who are its team members? What are their tasks? What do they expect from participating in one of the world’s biggest car races and how are they preparing for it? What and who does it take to build a car of the future?  

Rhita Addi

'Time is our biggest competitor'

Studies: Industrial Design

Green Team position: ‘Chief Hype’ (Public Relations)

Role in the Green Team

‘The team calls me the Chief Hype, because I hype everything we do. I joined the team only in March, because they were looking for an extra hand in the PR department. I arranged our car presentation and I’m in charge of our social media outlet.’

Shell Eco Marathon

‘At the moment, I’m busy with promotions and telling the world that we are going to race in SEM. I’m contacting media and handling all the press attention. During the race, I will be in charge of communications, I will be coordinating the PR team and serve as a spokesperson. SEM is going to be so exciting! I can’t wait to see what all of us have been working towards. I expect it to be hectic. And I am hoping for a podium place - or at least that is what we all want.’

What makes the Green Team different

‘I never thought I would learn so much working on the Green Team. It taught me to work under pressure. There are always deadlines, but I’m a perfectionist and being perfect takes time. In fact, time is our biggest competitor. What makes us unique is our team setting. We are not only focused on the race, we also pay attention to educating people about hydrogen. For us, it’s not just about winning a race, what we do has social importance.’ 

Emiel Haven

'We are willing to go the extra mile'

Studies: Mechanical Engineering

Green Team position: Mechanical Engineer

Role in the Green Team

‘On the mechanical engineering sub-team, everyone is responsible for one part of the car. I was in charge of the braking system and backup systems, in case controls on the steering wheel break down.’

Shell Eco Marathon

‘During SEM, I will be on standby in case something breaks down, so I really hope I will have a very relaxed racing week. Our expectations for the race might be a bit high, but our chances are good, because we are willing to go the extra mile. Plus, I think our steering wheel and clutch are really unique, which will make a difference.’

Why join the Green Team

‘I wanted to gain some practical experience and it has been really fun. What’s great about Green Team is that you are involved in the whole design process and get to make your own components. After this year, I will know the car through and through. It can be challenging at times – deadlines and long days, but it’s really rewarding to see your design work. However, the best part is the team itself. We have a great team. I look forward to every day.’ 

Vitto Bonnemayers

'We look beyond the race; we want to really contribute to sustainable mobility' 

Studies: Industrial Design

Green Team position: Team Manager

Role in the Green Team

‘I’m basically the least important person. People usually think very highly of the role of ‘Team Manager’, but I don’t quite agree with that, as I’m not even really involved in physically making the car. My tasks, however, are keeping a global overview of all our sub-disciplines and carrying out the end-responsibility of the project. I’m also in charge of the overall planning, vision, maintaining important partnerships as the team representative, but also making sure the team has one voice. I’m like a “fly goalie” – I need to see if something is wrong and fix it. Finally, still I managed to design a very tiny part of the car, which I did just for fun. So maybe I am not so unimportant after all!’

Shell Eco Marathon

‘With the race fast approaching, I try to keep a close look on the Electrical Engineering Department, helping them with thinking from a different, top-level perspective. This is because the electronics are the most risky part of the car. If it works, our car is really efficient; if not, we have a problem. I also try to speak to everyone individually and analyze how people will behave in stressful situation, which SEM will be. However, I think the race will bring us even closer together.’  

What makes Green Team different

‘We are one of the few teams at the SEM that look beyond the race. We want to push the boundaries and really contribute to sustainable mobility.’

Photos of Green Team members provided by: Rhita Addi