Driving Innovation and Efficiency in Sustainable Transport

The University of Galway’s School of Engineering is the home of the Galway energy-efficient car - the Geec - designed, built, and raced by our students. The Geec demonstrates the potential of innovation and collaboration in driving the future of sustainable transport.

What is the Geec?

The Geec is Ireland’s first and only team to compete in the prestigious Shell Eco-marathon, a global competition that challenges students to design and race the most energy-efficient vehicles. Competing in the prototype battery-electric class, the Geec has firmly established itself as a trailblazer in sustainable transport and is the most energy-efficient car ever built in Ireland.

Our Achievements

Since its debut in 2015, the Geec has competed annually in the 16-km Shell Eco-marathon, where the goal is to maximize energy efficiency rather than speed. The team’s journey has taken them to cities across Europe, including Rotterdam, London, and most recently Nogaro, France.

Key Highlights

• 2021 European and Global Success: The Geec placed 1st in Europe in the Decarbonising Road Freight Challenge and was named Global Runner-up for the Adobe Digital Literacy Award. The team also received a special commendation in the Autonomous Programming Challenge, showcasing their adaptability and innovation across diverse technical challenges.
• 2018 Technical Innovation Award: The Geec was awarded the prestigious Technical Innovation Award by Shell for its outstanding ingenuity and optimal use of materials. The University of Galway team received recognition for an innovative and effective solution to reduce aerodynamic undercarriage drag. Learn more about this achievement here.
• 13th-Place Finish: The Geec’s best performance to date saw it achieve 13th place out of 41 competitors in the battery-electric prototype class, with an impressive energy-efficiency score of 354 kilometers per kilowatt-hour. To put this into perspective, the Geec can travel from Galway to Dublin using just 10 cents worth of electricity – equivalent to over 10,000 miles per gallon of diesel, more than 200 times more efficient than standard cars.

The Geec Experience for Students

The Geec offers an unparalleled learning opportunity for students at the University of Galway. From design and construction to testing and competition, students develop expertise in:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Energy Systems
• Electrical & Electronic Engineering
• Electronic & Computer Engineering

This hands-on experience extends beyond technical skills. Students also manage the business structure that supports the project, honing their leadership, teamwork, and project management abilities. Many of these contributions are an integral part of their coursework.

Join Us

This is just the beginning! University of Galway engineers have proven that they can compete with the best in the world, and work has already begun on the next version of the Geec for SEM Europe & Africa 2025 in Poland.

Would you like to be part of creating one of the world’s most advanced eco-cars? Start your journey by studying Mechanical Engineering, Energy Systems, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, or Electronic & Computer Engineering (It’s a matter of taste!) at the University of Galway.

For more information, visit our website at www.theGeec.ie or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or X for the latest updates.

Our Sponsors

The Geec is generously supported by the University of Galway and a host of sponsors, including:

• Vermilion Energy
• Bord na Móna
• Fingleton White & Co
• Central Bearings Supplies
• Enerit Ltd
• Banner Steel Ltd
• EM3
• Brady Hughes Consulting
• Port of Galway
• Midland Karting & Paintball

Become a Partner

We are actively seeking new partners to support the Geec for the current academic year. By partnering with us, you’ll contribute to advancing sustainable transport while gaining visibility and association with cutting-edge innovation. If you’d like to be part of this exciting project, please contact j.martin28@universityofgalway.ie.