Surakarta — Students of the Electrical Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), have once again etched a golden milestone at the national level. As part of the Bengawan Team UNS, these students successfully brought home two championship titles at the prestigious 2026 Energy-Efficient Car Contest (Kontes Mobil Hemat Energi/KMHE), held at the University of Jember, East Java, from October 1 to 4, 2026.
In this annual competition, which challenges eco-friendly vehicle innovations, the Bengawan Team UNS proudly secured 1st Place in the Urban Concept category for the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Diesel class, and 2nd Place in the Prototype category for the ICE Gasoline class.
This glorious achievement was made possible by the outstanding performance of the team’s two flagship cars. The Wirasena 4.0, competing in the Urban Concept class, conquered the track by setting a fuel efficiency record of 280.06 km/liter. Meanwhile, the Nirankara 4.0, competing in the Prototype class, delivered a stunning performance with a fantastic fuel consumption record of 700.51 km/liter.
This success was certainly not an overnight achievement. The Bengawan Team UNS underwent a research and development process that took nearly a full year. Both the Wirasena 4.0 and Nirankara 4.0 were born from a comprehensive evaluation of the previous generation’s vehicles.
During the refinement process, the team introduced several significant technical innovations. Key updates included weight reduction to make the cars lighter and more efficient, a revamped steering system model, as well as thorough optimization and improvements in the engine sector. These series of innovations proved highly effective in maximizing fuel efficiency on the racetrack.
This remarkable achievement cannot be separated from the dedication, hard work, and expertise of the UNS Electrical Engineering students who served as crucial pillars within the team. The Electrical Engineering students who represented the study program and directly contributed to this success are:
- Muhammad Azadin Azhar (NIM: I0725049)
- Muhammad Haikal Banna El Farizi (NIM: I0725050)
- Khoirul Akbar Ramadhan (NIM: I0725069)
Their active involvement proves that UNS Electrical Engineering students are highly capable of applying theoretical knowledge into practical, highly competitive manufacturing and automotive technology research. Their skills in configuring and optimizing vehicle systems were key to this victory.
The achievements at KMHE 2026 further reinforce the commitment of the Electrical Engineering Study Program and the Faculty of Engineering at UNS to supporting sustainable innovation, particularly in the development of future energy-efficient vehicle technologies. It is hoped that this accomplishment will inspire and motivate other students to continue creating, innovating, and bringing honor to the university on both national and international stages.