The international logistics company Gebrüder Weiss takes charge of transporting an innovative solar car to Australia for the aCentauri Solar Racing Team of Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zurich (ETH). This is where the World Solar Challenge will begin at the end of October 2023. This unique race sees 31 teams cover the vast 3,000 kilometers from Darwin across the Australian outback to Adelaide using solar power alone.
The solar car with the ETH Zurich team and Frank Haas, Head of Corporate Communications (7th from left) Katharina Zimmerling, Branch Manager Air & Sea Zurich, and Vanessa Hafner, Team Lead Digital Communications (next to the right, all from Gebrüder Weiss). Image Credit: Gebrüder Weiss / Roman Hartl
To ensure that the high-tech vehicle can be on its marks on time at the other end of the world, Gebrüder Weiss delivers a customized mix of logistics covering land transport, sea and air freight.
"Our position as a global logistics company means we are a driver of intelligent transport solutions, actively shaping the mobility of tomorrow," says Frank Haas, Head of Corporate Brand Strategy & Communications at Gebrüder Weiss. "aCentauri’s solar car is a trendsetter with the potential to revolutionize the transport sector, which is why we are supporting the team on their journey to Australia."
The students have been working on the development and implementation of this solar car for nearly a year. Designed for durability and maximum energy efficiency, it is emblematic of a future in which the environment takes center stage. "Of course, we would like to win the race. But what is equally important to us is taking an active role in developing efficient, environmentally sound solutions," explains Alexandr Ebnöther, team manager at aCentauri. "With the support of Gebrüder Weiss, we can demonstrate that solar-powered cars and, by extension, sustainable mobility, are possible."
There is particular focus at the moment on alternative drives at Gebrüder Weiss. For example, aCentauri’s solar car is covering the first leg of its journey on the logistic company’s zero-emission hydrogen truck.
Gebrüder Weiss regularly reports on the preparations and the progress of the cooperation via a dedicated landing page and the various social media channels.