Powered by 

Electric Karting For A Zero Emissions Future

ProtoEV is the UK’s first STEM competition wherestudents aged 15-18 convert used petrol gokarts into fully electric e-karts, which they test andrace at Three Sisters Racing Circuit in Wigan to seewhich is the fastest and most energy efficient. This high-octane Career Readiness programgives young people hands on experience ofworking with electric vehicle technologies in areal-world racing environment.  As well as learningproblem solving, communication and team buildingskills, they'll also get to understand batterytechnologies, vehicle construction, data analyticsand electronic controls. Teams must also engagetheir local community and businesses to raisesponsorship. We've also teamed up with ManchesterMetropolitan University (MMU) as part of theirHySchools Erasmus programme to incorporatehydrogen fuel cells education as part of theProtoEV curriculum. ProtoEV track events are run under a Motor SportsAssociation (MSA) permit, comply with all healthand safety regulations, and are fully insured withP l A id d P bli Li bili i

WHAT IS PROTOEV ? 

ProtoEV is a project based learning activity whichuses the excitement of motorsport to give youngpeople hands on vocational engineering skills innew technologies. Our aim is to inspire them tobecome tomorrows engineers and technicians.  Using a standard kart chassis, teams can use CADto design their kart configuration before buildingit. They can also use 3D printing to make batteryboxes. Teams consist of 8-12  members on average. Aminimum of one driver is required for each testday(s) and the race final. The other team membersact mainly as pit crew, but can also take charge ofmedia, raising sponsorship or team branding andlogo design for race wear, for example.    ProtoEV provides opportunities for under-represented groups (girls, ethnic minorities, firstin family to consider higher education). 

FOR 15-18 YEAR OLDS     

“The skills demanded of the ProtoEV challengewill be exactly those needed to make our Roadto Zero strategy a reality and pave the way fora zero emission future. We face both anexciting and demanding time ahead forautomotive engineering; one that has thepotential to revolutionise the industry.Through converting these old go-karts intothese exciting electric vehicles, studentstaking part in ProtoEV have shown that theyare well-placed and more than capable oftaking up that challenge. To see the work of the young people takingpart in the ProtoEV Challenge, building anelectric go kart, testing it themselves and indue course running a series around the country– what a fantastic opportunity and what abrilliant way to bring young people intoengineering, particularly young people fromblack and minority ethnic backgrounds, andyoung women. All the strength behind it I canpossibly give it and we couldn’t be morehappy.” 

ENDORSEMENT BY TRANSPORT MINISTER JESSE NORMAN  MP

Successfully piloted in Summer 2018 with5 x teams in Greater ManchesterThe founder & CEO is 24 year old NileHenry, a rising star in the tech community.Diversity in STEM and Social Mobility is ourcore purpose. We especially want to inspiredisadvantaged youth to pursue well paidcareers as innovators, engineers andtechnicians. Uses the excitement and exhilaration ofelectric motorsport to engage, inspire anddevelop talented young people andprogress them into further and highereducation or engineering apprenticeships. ProtoEV aims to embed a culture ofachievement, aspiration and hope.  

BACKGROUND

RUNNING A TEAM

There are lots of different approachesto running a ProtoEV team. Teams canmeet during working hours, othersmight prefer evenings and weekends.We recommend teams meet once aweek, and more often if desired,depending on how much time can bedevoted to the project. Teams can be run by teachers, parents,organisations and private companies.Alternatively, ProtoEV teams can berun entirely by school pupils, collegestudents or apprentices. 

Partners: Manchester MetropolitanUniversity (MMU), CALInternational, Northern AutomotiveAlliance and Carbon Performance.

THE PROTOEV CHALLENGE

There are 3 tests days and 1 x race final perseason. On test days we provide awards toteams we feel fit the following criteria. Theyinclude: - • Best Presented Team Award • Best Presented eKart Award • Best Team Principal Award At the race final in July we present thefollowing awards: • ProtoEV Winner • ProtoEV Runner Up • ProtoEV Third Place • Best Team Spirit • Best Innovation Award 

ProtoEV Milestones

There are 3 tests days and 1 x race finalper season. Jan - Mar 2020. Dates TBC.

Induction

RAISING SPONSORSHIP

KART BUILD

TEST & RACE

TEACHER CPD

KART PARTS DELIVERY

Nov/Dec 2019 - onwards with STEMAmbassador support

November 2019

October 2019 - kart buildingworkshops

Marketing and sponsorshipmasterclass October 2019

Nile Henry presentation. Teamforming, naming and team racingcolours.

STEM LEARNING SUPPORT

The Blair Project are creating a growing rangeof resources for ProtoEV with industry andacademic partners including: 

STEM curriculum Free access to Autodesk’s Fusion 360 CADsoftware to help you with the generativedesign. Explainer videos and tutorials 3 x CPD training workshops for teachersand project leads A build manual which contains everythingrequired to build a regulation compliantekart and equipment purchase list STEMNET have volunteer STEMambassadors who can assist you. We willprovide you with details of an appropriatelyqualified STEM ambassador who cansupport you through the design and buildprocess 

Funding can be raised via many differentchannels. We encourage teams to contactcompanies regarding potentialsponsorship in return for having theirlogo on the side of a ProtoEV kart. Somecolleges and universities may also bewilling to contribute towards funding aProtoEV team. Team members can also help byorganising fundraising events. Grantfunding may also be available throughorganisations such as STEM Learning.

FUNDING

It costs £4,000 to enter a team (if you pre-own a petrol go-kart) & £5,000 (if you needus to supply you with a used go kart). The entry fee covers the cost of supplyingyou with a e-motor, master controller,charger, handbook, rules & regulations,basic tools, master classes, entry fees for3x test days & race final, prizes, insurance,etc. 

COSTS

To register a team please emailinfo@theblairproject.org. You can enter more than one ekart if youchoose. Or call The Blair Project on 07970 871727 ifyou would like to discuss your teamregistration over the phone first. 

TO GET STARTED

What Next?Competing in ProtoEV changes young lives. If you’d like more information please contact:

Dr Marilyn Comrie OBE  07970 871727 or email Marilyn@theblairproject.org The Blair Project , Manchester Technology Centre , Oxford Road, Manchester, M1 7ED Facebook: TheBlairProject       Twitter: @getmemotoring       Instagram:@getmemotoring