Students from the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FT USU), who are members of the HORAS USU Team, have intensified the development of their energy-efficient vehicle in preparation for the 2026 National Energy-Efficient Car Competition (Kompetisi Mobil Hemat Energi/KMHE). Preparations have been underway since November 2025 for the competition, which is scheduled to take place September 23–27, 2026, at Universitas Jember.

The preparation process encompasses the complete engineering cycle, including vehicle design, development, testing, and performance optimization. Each stage forms an integral part of a research-driven approach that connects engineering principles with the practical requirements of designing and improving a competition-ready, energy-efficient vehicle.

The team aims to complete all preparations before shipping the vehicle in early September 2026, with the target departure date set for around September 10, 2026. At this stage, the project remains focused on vehicle development and testing; therefore, no competition results can yet be reported.

The project provides students with valuable opportunities to strengthen their technical expertise while developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. Through this hands-on experience, students gain practical insight into managing the innovation process—from conceptual design and engineering development to performance evaluation and continuous improvement.

This initiative primarily supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure by promoting research and technological innovation in energy-efficient vehicle development. It also contributes to SDG 4: Quality Education by providing experiential engineering education and to SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy through efforts to develop more energy-efficient transportation technologies.

The Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara, remains committed to advancing student education, research, and innovation through the development of technologies that address future societal needs. By fostering a structured engineering and innovation process, FT USU continues to empower students to contribute to energy efficiency and sustainable development.