A team of twelve students from Tunisia’s National School of Engineers of Monastir (ENIM) has successfully designed and built a fully functional electric car prototype, showcasing a remarkable feat of local innovation. The project, developed by the ENIM Team Tunisia-Shell Eco Marathon, was created using 100% Tunisian concepts and predominantly locally sourced and fabricated equipment.
From Concept to Autonomous Prototype
Supervised by four university professors, the student-led team managed the entire production lifecycle, from initial design and ideation to the final assembled product. Their work was not limited to mechanical engineering; the students also handled all programming, electronics, and the integration of electrical and control systems themselves.
According to the team, the initial prototype operates on principles similar to a Tesla, featuring autonomous driving capabilities where a passenger can be seated inside as the vehicle navigates on its own. The students have expressed confidence that with adequate funding and resources, the prototype could be rapidly developed into a market-ready, drivable vehicle.
Beyond The Competition Circuit
The vehicle was originally conceived for the prestigious Shell Eco-Marathon, a global competition that challenges student teams to design and build ultra-energy-efficient cars. However, the advanced quality and success of the prototype have inspired the team to think bigger.
They are now exploring the possibility of expanding the initiative into a national project, aiming to move beyond the scope of student competitions and contribute directly to the country’s technological and automotive landscape. This ambition highlights the potential for university-led research and development to foster significant industrial innovation in the region.
About ENIM Team Tunisia-Shell Eco Marathon
The ENIM Team Tunisia-Shell Eco Marathon is a student-led initiative from the National School of Engineers of Monastir. The team is dedicated to designing, building, and competing with innovative, energy-efficient vehicles in international competitions like the Shell Eco-Marathon, with a strong focus on utilizing local talent, ideas, and resources to push the boundaries of engineering in Tunisia.
Source: Successful Tunisia
