KOU Racing Formula Student Team

About the Team

Founded in 2019, Kocaeli University Formula Student Team currently consists of 41 active members. Operating under the Faculty of Technology, Department of Automotive Engineering, our team brings together students from diverse disciplines, including Mechanical, Mechatronics, Computer, Electrical & Electronics, and Energy Systems Engineering.

Our ultimate mission is to become the most successful Formula Student Electric Vehicle (EV) Team in Turkey and establish a strong presence on the international stage. While Istanbul Technical University is currently the only Turkish team to complete dynamic events, last season we reached 70% success in the inspection stages, making us the closest competitor. With the improvements implemented this year, we are confident we will achieve this milestone and set new benchmarks for Turkish EV teams.

Projects and Competitions

We are currently developing our next-generation car, the KR-03, for the upcoming season.

KR-01: Competed at Formula Student Romania 2023, achieving 2nd place in the Business Plan Presentation (BBP) and first electric vehicle to participate in this competition.

KR-02: Attended the Formula Student Alpe Adria 2025, securing 24th place out of 60 teams. The same car will also compete in Formula Student Turkey this year.Looking ahead, we plan to participate in Formula Student Germany and return to Formula Student Alpe Adria in the next season.

Technical Achievements

Innovation and self-reliance define our engineering approach.

Custom Motor Development: The design and analysis of our current motor were fully carried out in-house by our engineering team. Manufacturing was then realized through collaboration with Volt Motors, a Turkish electric motor manufacturer.

Battery Systems: Both of our vehicles are powered by battery packs fully designed, assembled, and integrated by our team. Using recycled cells, we developed and spot-welded the modules in our own workshop. The packs are managed through our proprietary Battery Management System (BMS).

Electronics & PCBs: Due to the limited PCB manufacturing infrastructure in Turkey and the high costs of international suppliers, we produced most of our boards in-house. While our HV safety electronics boards have been locally assembled, our LV Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) and sensor interface boards require professional assembly and reliability validation.

Additional Systems: The team has developed custom telemetry solutions, robust aerodynamic elements designed via CFD and wind tunnel testing, and implemented high-voltage safety protocols to meet Formula Student standards.

Future Vision

Our near-term goal is clear: to become Turkey’s top-performing EV team. Beyond that, we aim to achieve Formula Student EV Championship titles internationally.

To realize this vision, we require support in:

• Electronics manufacturing & PCB assembly, to accelerate prototyping and ensure reliability under race conditions.
• Financial sponsorship, particularly for the acquisition of a new PMSM motor (e.g., Emrax or Hub type) to significantly enhance performance.
• Materials and component sponsorship, as many critical parts are not locally produced and must be sourced from abroad.

Why Partner With Us

Our track record demonstrates resilience, innovation, and commitment. Despite limited resources, we have achieved international recognition and consistently pushed the boundaries of student-driven EV technology.With your support, we can

• Develop more efficient and competitive vehicles
• Expand the hands-on engineering experience for our student members
• Represent Turkey on the global stage of Formula Student competitions
• Inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators in the field of sustainable mobility.

Your partnership will not only empower our team but also contribute to the advancement of Turkey’s engineering ecosystem in electric vehicle technology⚡