ALUMEX BACKS STUDENT-BUILT ELECTRIC RACE CAR AT UNIVERSITY OF MORATUWA LAUNCH

Alumex PLC has supported the launch of the FALCON E1, a student-built electric racing car developed by the University of Moratuwa’s Falcon Racing team. As official material sponsor of ‘Unleashed 2026’, the aluminium manufacturer supplied key components and technical services, helping prepare the vehicle for the upcoming Formula Student Spain competition.

Aluminium extrusion manufacturer Alumex PLC has reinforced its support for engineering innovation by serving as the official material sponsor for ‘Unleashed 2026’, the launch event for the FALCON E1 electric race car developed by students of the University of Moratuwa.

Held on 4 March 2026 at the university’s premises, the event marked the unveiling of a next-generation electric racing vehicle designed and built entirely by the student-led Falcon Racing team. The project represents a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s student engineering landscape, combining advanced design methodologies, precision manufacturing and modern electric vehicle technologies.

As part of the collaboration, Alumex supplied aluminium materials used in the vehicle’s construction, providing approximately 650 kilograms of aluminium components that form key structural elements of the race car. The company also delivered specialised anodising services for machined parts, helping enhance the vehicle’s power-to-weight ratio while preserving the structural strength necessary for high-performance racing conditions.

The FALCON E1 is a completely new electric race car developed from the ground up by the student engineers. The vehicle weighs 245 kilograms and is powered by a single chassis-mounted motor operating at a maximum system voltage of 300V DC. It delivers a peak power output of 72 kW and is supported by a 7.99 kWh accumulator. The car features a transmission ratio of 2.8 and a suspension system built around double unequal A-arms with a push-rod configuration, designed to maximise stability and handling performance on the track.

The sponsorship continues Alumex’s long-standing engagement with Sri Lanka’s student engineering community. The company has supported the development of the country’s electric racing vehicles on three consecutive occasions, underlining its broader commitment to nurturing local innovation and advancing sustainable mobility technologies.

Managing Director Pramuk Dediwela said the initiative reflects Alumex’s belief in empowering emerging engineering talent. He noted that the Falcon Racing project demonstrates the creativity and technical capability of Sri Lankan students, adding that the company is proud to contribute materials and expertise to a project focused on the future of sustainable mobility and advanced engineering.

The collaboration enabled the Falcon Racing team to manufacture precision-engineered components critical to the vehicle’s performance and structural integrity. According to the team, the FALCON E1 has been designed to achieve high performance while maintaining the lightweight efficiency essential for competitive electric motorsport.

The vehicle is expected to represent Sri Lanka internationally at Formula Student Spain, which will take place later this year at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The competition brings together university engineering teams from around the world to design, build and race prototype vehicles while demonstrating technical innovation and engineering excellence.

By contributing materials and technical support to the project, Alumex has reinforced its role not only as an industry leader in aluminium manufacturing but also as a partner in shaping Sri Lanka’s future technological and engineering capabilities. The partnership highlights the growing importance of collaboration between industry and academia in enabling students to compete on global technology platforms and advancing the country’s engineering ecosystem.