UAE school students build and race their own cars in high-voltage challenge

Dubai: Tyres squealed, engines whirred — but this wasn’t your typical motorsport showdown.

At Yas Marina Circuit, school students from across the UAE put their own electric cars to the test in a high-stakes endurance race, combining speed, strategy, and science. The Greenpower UAE Grand Prix wasn’t just about winning — it was about learning by doing, with students designing, building and racing their own eco-friendly machines.

The second edition of the event saw 14 teams of 12 students each competing to complete as many laps as possible in 90 minutes, with two driver changes allowed. All vehicles were built in the classroom as part of a STEM-based learning programme.

Taking the chequered flag — metaphorically — was VoltStar from the International School of Choueifat, Sharjah. Their car completed 79 laps of the Yas Kart Zone, edging out the Leopards from GEMS Dubai American Academy by three laps. Immortal Speedsters from GEMS Winchester School Fujairah rounded off the podium with 74 laps.

The event is part of the global Greenpower Education Trust initiative, originally launched in the UK to get students excited about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by giving them real-world challenges. Today, more than 2,500 teams from around the world participate each year, and the programme was spotlighted by the Hamilton Commission — founded by seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton — for its work in promoting diversity in motorsport.

From primary school to college level, students learn how to build and race electric cars, gaining practical experience in design, engineering, teamwork, and sustainability.

For the VoltStar team, the win was about more than just lap counts. “The kids had a fantastic opportunity showcasing their abilities and passions in a non-strictly academic setting,” said Davide Farina, a Physics teacher who mentored the Sharjah-based team. “They’re passionate and brilliant and I am so proud of them.”

Driver Ali Shaltoni, who shared driving duties with Yasir and Yazen Al Guburi, said: “Driving in the Greenpower race wasn’t just about speed. It was about strategy, precision, and trust in the engineering. Every turn reminded me that teamwork and preparation make the win possible.”

Other members of the victorious VoltStar team were Yara Alimam, Abdulhayee Yamin, Jameel Khan, Srinjay Shrinivas Shankar, Yousef Saleh, Maya Alaeek, Mariam Habib and Muhammad Areeb Muhammad.

The race was organised by Pole Position, a motorsport consultancy that runs the Greenpower programme in the UAE, with strategic support from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. The goal? To get students thinking about careers in motorsport and electric vehicle engineering — and to emphasise the role of sustainability in future technologies.

“Our mission began with a passion for fostering sustainable motorsports and providing career pathways for young talent in automotive engineering,” said Ryan Trutch, CEO and Founder of Pole Position.

“Ultimately, it was very rewarding to see 168 fully committed students giving everything on the day. We aim to welcome at least 50 new schools each year, and with the Ministry’s support, we’re confident of achieving that.”