Graffiti helps power solar car with green vehicle wrap!

Graffiti, a creative marketing services company that has pioneered the field of transit branding, has applied its extensive expertise to designing, wrapping and branding the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s solar car, set to compete in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in October. The first time that Africa will compete in the event – this is also the first time that Graffiti has branded a solar vehicle – giving it green power of a different ilk.

Graffiti was tasked with designing the artwork and wrapping the peculiar cut of the 230kg, 5m long solar vehicle which has been shipped to Australia ahead of the 3 000km race from Darwin to Adelaide. A fairly challenging application, skill and experience won the day and the wrap was perfectly applied on the first attempt. The 13-strong team from South Africa has four drivers who will take turns behind the wheel of the car that will be powered by 6m² solar panels - at speeds of up to 130km/hour.

Graffiti Director David Ferguson says: “We are pleased to have been able to align ourselves with this project and support the University’s contribution towards advancing sustainable and renewable technology.  This is a landmark event for South Africa and it’s exciting for our team to have been part of something this significant, particularly with our heritage being so firmly rooted in the motor vehicle industry.”

Lecturers and students from the KZN University are driving the project and it’s reported that many of the entries (50 from 25 countries) have cost more than 10 times that of the South African model. Despite this, the team believes this year’s design is innovative and better than in previous years – representing “engineering for social impact”.   

With a concrete reputation, a national footprint, and a green agenda where sustainability practices are constantly being enhanced, Graffiti was the obvious choice and approached by the University to design, develop and wrap the unusual design of the vehicle.  On the vehicle branding side, Graffiti runs the largest application department in Africa and can push up to 1 000 vehicles through the factory each month. While just one vehicle had to be branded for this project, the Group’s volumes directly correlate with its innovative approach, experience and operational efficiencies all of which secured the project for Graffiti.

Graffiti is a creative, young at heart marketing services company in the business of high-impact, head turning branding. It supplies cradle to grave, premium indoor and outdoor branding solutions for the mobile (vehicle and trucking) and retail industries, and has a national footprint.  The Vehicle Branding, Tarpaulin Services, and Retail Solutions divisions are supported by a fully equipped in-house production department and design studio. Known for its quality and guaranteed warrantees, Graffiti attracts blue chip companies from a variety of industries, including FMCG, automotive, security, logistics, cleaning, petroleum, financial, office automation, communication, and insurance among others. 

Find out more about Graffiti and other ways in which to improve the sustainability of your brand visitwww. Graffiti.co.za.