ECE student leads Buckeye Electric Motorcycle Race Team

Posted: February 15, 2011

Passionate, dedicated, driven. These words aptly describe Sean C. Ewing, a senior in electrical and computer engineering, who is leading a group of Ohio State students in an effort to design, build and professionally race an entirely electric motorcycle.

Ewing’s passion for electric motorcycles is evident in many ways, from the bright blue, self-built electric motorcycle he rides to class daily, even during Ohio’s freezing winter weather; to his comfort in the Center for Automotive Research’s student projects garage, which has become a second home to him as he helps team members build an electric motorcycle from scratch. It’s especially evident when he discusses his favorite topic, electric motorcycle racing.

“I think that making fast, powerful electronics is the best way to advance electric vehicle technology,” Ewing explained.

Ewing is team leader and co-founder of the Buckeye Electric Motorcycle Race Team, which is poised to become the first collegiate team to compete in professional electric motorcycle races.

The team has three primary goals: to compete in the Time Trial Extreme Grand Prix (TTXGP) and FIM electric motorcycle competitions and qualify for the TTXGP Championship in Spain; to teach students about electric vehicles and allow them to gain experience on a professional race team, and to enhance the development of clean, electric motorcycle technologies.

The team evolved from Ewing’s 2010 self-financed foray into the inaugural season of professional electric motorcycle racing. Although the converted bike that Ewing and his team raced was not the fastest, it was by far the most dependable one in the competition, he explained, and qualified for the TTXGP Championship in Spain despite facing better financed rivals.

For the 2011 season, Ewing partnered with fellow electric vehicle enthusiast and mechanical engineering student, Kyle Ginaven, and The Ohio State University’s Center for Automotive Research, to form an even stronger team.

“We wanted to share our expertise with Ohio State Students,” Ewing said.

Ewing’s passion is contagious. What began with only a few interested students at the initial information meeting in September 2010, has grown to a group of approximately 18 hardcore student members, representing a variety of majors, Ewing explained. He also recruited Dr. Marcello Canova, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, to serve as the team’s faculty advisor.

Ewing’s involvement in the team has helped him enhance his skills and gain hands-on experience in engineering and beyond.

“During the winter break, I focused on team sponsorship, which allowed me to network with dozens of CEOs and lawmakers interested in the forthcoming electric transportation evolution,” Ewing said. “In less than three months, the team has received over $100,000 in donated items and funding.”

Besides electric motorcycles, Ewing’s enthusiasm also extends to his home-state.

“The majority of our sponsors are based in Ohio,” Ewing said. “I want to show that Ohio isn’t just a flyover state; a lot of interesting things are happening here.”

The Buckeye Electric Motorcycle Race Team plans to compete in their first race in May 2011. Interested students can still join the project, contact Sean Ewing to get involved.