Andersen EV partners with Royal College of Art and Escapade Silverstone to launch ‘The Art of Speed’ student design competition

Andersen EV, the UK’s leading provider of design-led EV charge points, is partnering with the Royal College of Art (RCA) and Escapade Silverstone to launch a competition that will challenge the next generation of design talent to design a motorsport-themed electric vehicle (EV) charge point.

Titled ‘The Art of Speed’, the competition will be open to students from the RCA’s world-renowned Intelligent Mobility programme, and will require that submissions draw inspiration from the iconic Silverstone Circuit and be consistent with Andersen’s core product attributes of luxury, sustainability and craftsmanship. 

Evolution from concept to physical design

The competition will feature a rigorous two-stage selection process, beginning with an initial phase where students submit visual renders of their concepts. Five finalists will then be selected to transform their designs into physical prototypes, using an Andersen A3 charging unit as their template. 

All of the finalists’ submissions will go on public display at Escapade Silverstone, the circuit’s luxury hotel and art gallery, during the Formula 1 British Grand Prix weekend (2 to 5 July). The final winner will be selected by a panel comprising representatives from Andersen EV, Escapade Silverstone and a specialist automotive design publication. The announcement will take place during an exclusive event held during the Friday Practice session of the British Grand Prix on 3 July. The winning designer will be awarded £1,000, with additional cash prizes awarded to all participating finalists.

As the automotive industry shifts toward a fully electric future, the partnership highlights the increasing importance of integrating EV infrastructure into modern architectural design. Engaging with RCA students is part of Andersen EV’s efforts to create products that serve as a seamless extension of the home and vehicle.

“We believe that EV charging should be as much a statement of design as the cars they power,” says David Martell, CEO of Andersen EV. “By partnering with the RCA and Escapade, we’re pushing the boundaries of what home infrastructure can achieve and showcasing a motorsport aesthetic in new ways. Seeing these young designers take inspiration from the world of motorsport at Silverstone is a thrilling prospect and will help guide our evolving design ethos.”

“From inception, the concept of the art programme at Escapade Silverstone has been to celebrate both the automotive and motorsports industries through art, bringing together artists, brands and institutions to collaborate and create items and moments,” says Renata Fernandes, Art Director, Escapade Silverstone & Silverstone Circuit. “Parallel to that, Silverstone has a strong commitment towards sustainability making this joint activity between ourselves, Andersen EV and the Royal College of Art a perfect reflection of our creative purpose. A number of artists and vehicle designers involved with our programme were once students at the RCA, it is a huge honour for us to welcome and showcase the work of their students.”

"The Royal College of Art's Intelligent Mobility MA are delighted to partner with Andersen EV on this initiative,” adds Dr Chris Thorpe, Head of Programme, Intelligent Mobility Design Centre, Royal College of Art. “Sustainable design is a growth area for the programme and it is important that design sensitivity is brought to the full spectrum of mobility products, in addition to vehicles, and we are therefore excited to see how or students apply their innovativeness and creativity to EV charge points."