Two decades of efficiency.
From a college workshop to Sepang International Circuit — a student team rebuilt across eighteen batches, eleven prototypes, and one stubborn idea: that a litre of fuel — and now a kilowatt of charge — can go further than anyone thinks.
Why we build.
GARUDA exists to bridge the gap between theoretical engineering and real-world impact. Super-mileage vehicles are the ultimate discipline test — extracting maximum range from minimum input — and getting it right demands mastery across every engineering department at once.
Affiliated with RVCE, Bengaluru, the team has represented India at Shell Eco-marathon Asia for over a decade. The current era is fully battery-electric, focused on light, efficient Urban Concept vehicles.
Principles.
- 01
Precision Engineering
Every component is designed, simulated, and tested before fabrication. Nothing is left to chance.
- 02
Collaborative Culture
Mechanical, electrical, aero, software, and management — multidisciplinary teams working in lockstep.
- 03
Sustainability First
Ultra-efficient vehicles are the future. We pioneer technologies that reduce energy footprint at every layer.
- 04
Competition Excellence
We compete to win, but also to prove that undergraduate engineers can build cars that matter.
Twenty years, in moments.
- 2006
Foundation
RVCE establishes India's first student-driven super-mileage team, setting the stage for two decades of ultra-efficient vehicle research.
- 2008
Debut Prototype — Black Coffin
The team unveils its first petrol-run prototype. Achieves a historic mileage of 200 km/L and wins the Rotaract Young Achiever's Award.
- 2009
International Debut — SEM UK
First Asian team to participate with two vehicles at Shell Eco-marathon UK. Awarded the 'Perseverance in the Face of Adversity' prize.
- 2012
First Electric Prototype
Competes in SEM with an Electric Prototype alongside the IC programme. Placed 14th globally — the only Indian team to finish and first to clock mileage.
- 2015
International Endurance
Only Indian team to clear the International Endurance Test. Secures 7th place out of 40 international teams with Phoenix, the first Urban Concept.
- 2018
Electric Era Begins — Vajra
The team transitions fully from internal combustion to battery-electric vehicles. Vajra debuts as a UrbanConcept BEV with an aluminium chassis and carbon-fibre superstructure.
EV Transition - 2019
Mjolnir at SEM Asia
Built on Vajra's electric foundation, Mjolnir refines powertrain efficiency and reduces vehicle mass. Competes at Shell Eco-marathon Asia, Sepang.
- 2024 — 2026
Research Forward
Active R&D in efficient electric drives, battery management, and lightweight composites for upcoming international competitions.
Build the next one with us.
We recruit each year from across RVCE — mechanical, electrical, aerospace, software, and management. If the work above looks like the kind of thing you'd lose sleep over, we'd like to hear from you.