



Students of the Technical University of Crete have built a hydrogen car that has won international awards, yet Greek legislation prevents production of the vehicle.

The Eco Racer is 100 percent Greek. It was conceived, designed and built by undergraduate and graduate students of a Greek university. It is hydrogen fueled and it’s high on economy as it needs one liter of fuel for every 434 kilometers.

“It is a vehicle that could easily go into mass production after some modifications, with a cost less than 10,000 euros. It can be built in Greece and can be exported,” says a Skai television report.

The body of the Eco Racer is made of carbon fiber so that it weighs very little. It has a chassis made of special aluminum alloys and its engine is fueled by hydrogen cells. It is completely noiseless and the only pollutant it produces is water. The first model appeared in 2011 and the new one, the ER 12 is the third version.

This unique car has won two awards in international shows: First Prize in safety and fourth prize in fuel economy. It has participated in competitions in France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Yet, Greek legislation prohibits mass production of the vehicle. Investors cannot fund the production of the Eco Racer because Greek law does not allow it.

“I hope legislation in Greece becomes more flexible. As you can see, there are good ideas and inventions. We hope that one day the Technical University will be connected with entrepreneurship,” said Panagiotis Bazios, one of the students who invented and built the Eco Racer.



