Emilia 5, the solar-powered vehicle developed by Onda Solare, the University of Bologna’s solar car team, is once again attracting attention in the sustainable mobility sector. The Italian prototype, born from the combination of university research, technological innovation and industrial expertise, will be on display at E-Tech Europe 2026, the international event dedicated to advanced batteries and technologies for electric mobility.

The event, scheduled to take place at the BolognaFiere from October 7 to 9, 2026, will provide an important opportunity to showcase to the public and industry professionals a vehicle that demonstrates the potential of solar energy applied to mobility.

Emilia 5 is the result of an extensive research and development programme focused on combining energy efficiency, lightweight design, aerodynamics and innovative technologies. The project demonstrates how the mobility of the future can be shaped through the integration of renewable energy sources, electrification and advanced engineering solutions.

The vehicle also represents one of the most significant outcomes of the experience gained by Onda Solare, the Italian team established within the university environment and involved for years in the development of solar-powered vehicles. The project has achieved important results in international solar car competitions.

Emilia 5 at E-Tech Europe 2026

Emilia 5’s presence at E-Tech Europe 2026 is particularly significant because it brings technology developed through research and real-world experimentation to an event focused on innovation in electric mobility.

The Bologna trade fair brings together companies, researchers and professionals from the electric and hybrid vehicle technology supply chain, with a focus on batteries, components, electronics, materials, software and systems for the mobility of the future.

In this context, Emilia 5 will provide a concrete example of how solar energy can become an integral part of the evolution of electric mobility, taking academic research and technological experimentation beyond the world of competition and into a broader industrial context.

Its exhibition in Bologna will therefore offer visitors the opportunity to discover an Italian project that combines university research, innovation and sustainability, highlighting the potential of integrating renewable energy with electric mobility.

Giangiacomo Minak, professor at Unimore (the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia), will speak on the topic of “Emilia 5 and Subsequent Developments” at the conference “Innovation in Electric Vehicles”, scheduled for Thursday, October 8, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at E-Tech Europe 2026.