TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
UGM launches energy-safe car
An energy efficient car named after puppet figure Semar was launched by Gadjah Mada University’s (UGM) School of Technical Engineering on Wednesday
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
A
n energy efficient car named after puppet figure Semar was launched by Gadjah Mada University’s (UGM) School of Technical Engineering on Wednesday.
The car covers 400 kilometers in distance for every liter of gasoline it consumes.
Head of the car’s machinery engineering, Mitra Wisnu Hargono, said the car had yet to meet their target to run for 1,100 kilometers for every liter of gasoline it uses.
The car is scheduled to take part in the Shell Eco Marathon technology competition in Sepang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 10, 2010.
Apart from UGM, the first-ever competition to be held in Asia region will reportedly also be participated by other Indonesian universities.
These include the University of Indonesia (UI), Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and Surabaya-based Sepuluh November Institute of Technology (ITS).
Two categories of cars, namely urban and futuristic ones, will contend in the competition.
“UGM will take part in the futuristic car category,” Mitra said.
Based on the test drive held Wednesday, he said there were many things that needed to be improved to make the car more comfortable and more energy-efficient.
Among other things that needed to be improved included the uncomfortable driver’s seat and the use of fuel that would be made to meet with its target of a liter of gasoline for 1,100 kilometers.
Semar, Mitra said, has 4 stroke 25 cc, a cylinder and its body is made of fiber composites.
The car has an internal gearbox that is 2.7 meters long and capable of speeding at 35 kilometers per hour.
The car was created by the Shell Eco Marathon Racing Team (SEMART), which has been conducting the tryouts since 2009.
Also sponsoring the creation of the car are Medco Energy, East Kalimantan provincial administration, Garuda Indonesia, Yogyakarta Grand Star workshop, Yamaha and Indo Saparella.
“In the future, with the support from UGM’s school of technical engineering, we dream of creating our own energy-safe car,” Mitra said.
Separately, head of the school’s industrial and machinery engineering department Suhanan said apart from taking part in the international competitions, Semar was also produced to help offer solutions for global energy-related problems.
The car is scheduled to take part in the Shell Eco Marathon technology competition in Sepang, Malaysia, on July 10, 2010.
