The Numbers
Efficiency measured in real-world performance
Electrathon cars are evaluated in MPGe (miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent), a standard measure of energy efficiency. Built and optimized by student teams, these vehicles consistently achieve efficiency levels that exceed many production electric vehicles.
Put another way, Electrathon vehicles can travel significantly farther on the same amount of energy than most consumer electric vehicles.
That combination of performance, constraint, and hands-on design is what defines the program. Students learn engineering concepts in the classroom and then apply them to real-world challenges in energy, transportation, and advanced manufacturing through measurable efficiency outcomes.
— DESIGN ENGINEERING
MEET AN ELECTRATHON VEHICLE
Electrathon vehicles may look simple, but they represent hundreds of design decisions and hours of testing.
Built around a lightweight chassis and powered by a small electric motor, these single-seat vehicles challenge students to think like engineers, balancing performance, efficiency, reliability, and strategy.
The Format
How a race works
Tech inspection
Every car is checked for safety and rules compliance, battery limits, braking, roll protection.
Green flag
All cars launch together. The clock starts and runs for a full 60 minutes.
Manage the energy
Teams balance speed against battery life. Driver swaps and pit strategy matter.
Most laps wins
When the hour ends, total distance decides the standings in each class.
Who Competes
One Community. Two Competition Classes
Electrathon America welcomes builders of all experience levels. High school students begin their engineering journey in the High School Class, while graduates, colleges, clubs, and experienced builders continue competing in the Open Class, creating a community where learning never stops.
Student teams
High school-aged students design, build, and race ultra-efficient electric vehicles as part of a classroom, club, or other advisor-led program. Whether it’s a CTE course, STEM club, or after-school team, students gain real-world engineering experience through competition.
- Open to high school aged students
- Classroom or club based teams
- Advisor-led programs
Colleges, Clubs & Independent Builders
The Open Class is where innovation continues. College teams, alumni, clubs, educators, and independent builders compete with greater design freedom while advancing their skills and helping grow the Electrathon community.
- Greater engineering freedom
- Advanced vehicle design
- Lifelong participation in the sport
