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This year, the eleventh edition of Solar Team Twente has started. Seventeen highly motivated students will commit themselves full time to build the most innovative solar car to date, and challenge the boundaries of current technology. With the ever changing regulations, Solar Team Twente has to adapt, to maintain position. This edition, the focus of the whole team will shift towards efficiency and teamwork, in both the designprocess and the Challenge.
The solar team is located in Enschede, the Netherlands. It is part of the University of Twente, Saxion University of Applied Sciences and ROC van Twente. Solar Team Twente is one of the biggest student teams of the Netherlands. It unites more than 150 companies in and outside the country to build the most efficient solar car of the world together with the team. Team members pause their studies for more than a year to show what one can achieve in a short period of time. Their goal is to inspire others to contribute to a more sustainable society themselves. Together, we make a difference!
Management Team
Daniel Blik
Team Manager
My name is Daniël Blik. This year at 21 years old I will be the Team Manager. After finishing my degree in Business information Technology at the University of Twente I was up for a new challenge which I fortunately found in Solar Team Twente. I look forward to building our car and racing it down under with our amazing team. As team manager, I will focus on ensuring that everyone has what they need to secure our victory at the World Solar Challenge this August!
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Jesse van Dijk
Account Manager
Hey! My name is Jesse van Dijk, the account manager of Solar Team Twente 2025! As account manager, my responsibilities are planning the budget, connecting with as many partners and companies as possible, and ensuring their wishes are fulfilled. Next to all of that, this year I am also improving my planning and organizing skills, as well as building good relations with my team! I am super excited to work together with this team, and have the best year of our lives together!
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Victoria Verhulst
Technical Manager
My name is Victoria Verhulst and I am 22 years old. For this edition, I will fulfil the role as Technical Manager. It is my responsibility to facilitate the technical team in terms of (financial) planning and technical partners. Through joining Solar Team Twente, I will develop my skills in keeping a bird's-eye view of such a large technical project. I am incredibly excited to work together with this amazing team and build the best solar car possible!
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Marc Peters
Technical Account Manager
Hi! My name is Marc Peters, the Technical Account Manager of Solar Team Twente 2025! As a technical account manager, my role revolves around ensuring the needs of our technical partners are met, helping with the planning and execution of technical aspects, and ensuring smooth communication between our technical team and our partners. This year, I’m also focusing on improving my technical planning and organizing skills, while building strong, collaborative relationships within our team! I’m really excited to work together with such a dedicated team and make this year one to remember!
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Daniel Wonink
Logistics Manager
Hey! I’m a 21-year-old graduate with a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering and Management. This summer, I took on the exciting challenge of becoming the Logistics Manager of Solar Team Twente. In this role, I’m responsible for organizing transport to and from Australia, as well as coordinating accommodations and vehicle arrangements in both countries. I strive to be enthusiastic, driven, and highly organized in everything I do, always eager to take on various challenges beyond logistics. I have a lot of faith in our team, and with our positive mindset, we’re ready to tackle any obstacle that comes our way!
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Technical Team
Rick Evers
Structural Engineer
Hi my name's Rick Evers, 21 years old and this year I'll be taking on the role of Structural Engineer. With Mechanical Engineering as my background and together with the other engineers we strive to revolutionise the automotive industry with our solar car by coming up with new ideas, working with the best and newest materials and innovating existing systems. While still making sure that the car is rigid, stiff and is able to complete 3000km in the Australian outback.
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Natasja Seffinga
Research and Development Engineer
I'm Natasja Seffinga, 23 years old, and I'm excited to be joining Solar Team Twente this year as an R&D Engineer. In this role, I’ll be using the knowledge I’ve gained during my bachelor’s and first year of my master’s in mechanical engineering to develop and optimize the technology behind our solar car. Being part of this amazing team gives me the opportunity to apply my technical skills in a hands-on environment while advancing the field of solar technology. I’m looking forward to contributing to the team’s success and tackling the challenges that lie ahead.
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Sven Onland
Mechanical Engineer
My name is Sven Onland. I am 21 years old, and this year I will fulfill the role of mechanical engineer. After completing my bachelor Mechanical Engineering, I wanted to apply my theoretical knowledge in practice and take on this exciting engineering project. Being part of Solar Team Twente allows me to design, build, and race a solar car to compete in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. I look forward to working together in a multidisciplinary team of highly motivated students to overcome obstacles, push boundaries, and create the world’s fastest solar car.
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Bas Huttenhuis
Mechanical Engineer
Hi, my name is Bas! I am 22 years old, and I am excited to take on the role of mechanical engineer at Solar Team Twente. I thrive on the scale and challenge of this project, pushing the boundaries of our car and striving for the best possible results. By optimizing the design of the mechanical components, I aim to enhance both performance and reliability, ensuring our car is as efficient and competitive as possible. I look forward to designing, building, and racing our own car, made possible by collaborating with a diverse team of enthusiastic and motivated students.
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Guus van Sterkenburg
Aerodynamics Engineer
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Chris van den Brand
Structural Engineer
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Mees Mallant
Aerodynamics Engineer
Hi my name is Mees Mallant. After finishing my studies in mechanical engineering I was up for a challenge, therefore I have decided to join Solar Team Twente. This year I’m one of the aerodynamic engineers of the team, together with two other aerodynamic engineers I am responsible for the design of the aeroshell of the solar car. More specifically I am responsible for the nose of the solar car. As this is the first point the incoming air encounters, a good design is critical. My goal this year is to design, build and test the most efficient solar car yet.
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Barry ter Heegde
Data acquisition/Software Engineer
Hey! My name is Barry, and I am 23 years old. After finishing my bachelor's in Technical Computer Science in which I focussed a lot on activism and improving my soft-skills, I found myself with the want to improve my technical skills. This I found in the challenge that is Solar Team Twente. The role of Data Acquisition makes me responsible for all the data collection, telemetry, and software in- and outside of the car. Knowing that my work will be used in car that can go faster than 130km/h is a huge responsibility, but also an amazing opportunity which I look forward to.
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Job Nahuis
Race Strategist/Aerodynamical Engineer
My name is Job Nahuis, I am a 20 years old mechanical engineering student at the University of Twente. As one of the aerodynamics engineers I am responsible for designing the optimal shape of the cars canopy and the solar collecting area to minimize the drag of the car. I will also be taking the role as the strategist of Solar Team Twente. This means that I will determine and calculate the important parameters of the car like rolling and air resistance. With this information, I will calculate the fastest way to drive more than 3000 km through the Australian outback.
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Luuk Vink
Electrical Engineer
My name is Luuk Vink, and I am the lead battery engineer at Solar Team Twente.
After completing my Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering at the University of Twente, I wanted to apply my skills in the real world by developing a real product. And where better to do that than at Solar Team Twente?
This year, I’m committed to ensuring we have the best battery and electrical system possible to secure victory in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2025.
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Bo Treur
Electrical Engineer
Hi, I’m Bo Treur, a 21-year-old electrical engineer passionate about pushing the limits of technology. After completing my bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, I joined Solar Team Twente to take on the challenge of designing and optimizing several electrical components in our solar car, including the drivetrain of our solar car. My goal is to make it as efficient and powerful as possible, ensuring we have the best chance of winning the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in August 2025. With a strong drive for innovation and performance, I’m committed to building the fastest and most efficient solar car to cross the finish line first in Australia!
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Timothy Gilda
Electrical Engineer
My name is Timothy Gilda and I am 22 years old. In the 2025 edition of Solar Team Twente I am working as an Electrical Engineer where I am mainly responsible for designing the solar panel of our car. It is very exciting and rewarding to work with an enthusiastic student team and supportive partners from the region to put this impressive and innovative solar car on the world stage in Australia. This year is my chance to put everything I learned during the Bachelor into practice and gain practical engineering skills. I hope that my work this year will help us succeed at the World Solar Challenge and contribute to sustainable innovations and knowledge.
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