Right now, the Geec lies in bits on the workshop floor. Actually, several workshop floors. That’s nothing to worry about – just the normal condition of an evolving design, the latest of many rebuilds. But this is the final rebuild. We’re making more robust power electronics and a new outer body. Meanwhile, the steering and brakes are being refined. Oh, and new wheel bearings and axles. If there’s time before the car ships, we’ll drop in a new motor, and if we do, it will probably need new gearing. After all, nothing is perfect the first time. We learn, we get better, our machine gets better. This is engineering, right?

The first Galway energy-efficient car will settle into its final form by the 21st of the April. On that day we’ll roll it out in a national media launch, before an audience of our partners, friends and guests. We’ll also announce the results of testing –  we’ll know by then whether we’ve met our old goal, equivalent to driving from Galway to Dublin for less than €1 worth of electricity.

Shortly after that, the car goes onto a ship bound for Rotterdam. Team members will follow on a plane, and we’ll test our work at Shell Eco-marathon against Europe’s finest.