Wacky eco-friendly wheels driving Africa's green revolution

By Alex Court, for CNN

Updated 1016 GMT (1816 HKT) April 2, 2015

Made from fiberglass, the "Autonov III" from the University of Lagos is shaped like a teardrop to minimize drag.
Photos: Africa's Lean Green Speed Machines
Teardrop dynamics – Made from fiberglass, the "Autonov III" from the University of Lagos is shaped like a teardrop to minimize drag.
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The average age of the students who worked on Autonov III was just 22.
Photos: Africa's Lean Green Speed Machines
Age advantage – The average age of the students who worked on Autonov III was just 22.
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The 'Kiira EV' was the first electric car built in Uganda. The project, which was mostly run by students, launched a proof of concept in 2011 and plans to produce its first commercial car by 2018.
Photos: Africa's Lean Green Speed Machines
Going commercial – The 'Kiira EV' was the first electric car built in Uganda. The project, which was mostly run by students, launched a proof of concept in 2011 and plans to produce its first commercial car by 2018.
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The team behind the Kiira EV included leather seats and a CD player in their model.
Photos: Africa's Lean Green Speed Machines
Eco-comfort – The team behind the Kiira EV included leather seats and a CD player in their model.
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Students from the University of Benin in Nigeria built the gasoline-powered Ecocruise using a mixture of plant fiber and fiberglass.
Photos: Africa's Lean Green Speed Machines
Speed machine – Students from the University of Benin in Nigeria built the gasoline-powered Ecocruise using a mixture of plant fiber and fiberglass.
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ABUCAR II, built by students from Nigeria's Ahmadu Bello University, will compete in the Shell Eco-marathon in May 2015.
Photos: Africa's Lean Green Speed Machines
Competition ready – ABUCAR II, built by students from Nigeria's Ahmadu Bello University, will compete in the Shell Eco-marathon in May 2015.
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While it runs on gasoline, the engine maximizes fuel efficiency and produces fewer emissions than normal cars.
Photos: Africa's Lean Green Speed Machines
Gas guzzler – While it runs on gasoline, the engine maximizes fuel efficiency and produces fewer emissions than normal cars.
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The team behind Ecocruise also created the petrol-powered "Tuke-Tuke" which competed at the Shell Eco-marathon Europe 2014 in Rotterdam.
Photos: Africa's Lean Green Speed Machines
What's in a name – The team behind Ecocruise also created the petrol-powered "Tuke-Tuke" which competed at the Shell Eco-marathon Europe 2014 in Rotterdam.
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Ghanaian inventor, Apostle Safo, is building SUVs with electric motors powered by rechargeable batteries.
Photos: Africa's Lean Green Speed Machines
Super size – Ghanaian inventor, Apostle Safo, is building SUVs with electric motors powered by rechargeable batteries.
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Green Cars Africa Team UNILAG Autonov IIIUNILAG Team workshop Shell EcomarathonKiira Car Build MARC HOFER AFP Getty Imagesinside africa uganda kampala entrepreneurs b_00060713Uniben Purple Shell EcomarathonGreen Cars AfricaABUCAR Finished Green Car AfricaTuketuke Diesel University of Benin ShellKantanka electric Car Ghana Chris Stein AFP Getty Images

Story highlights

  • African students and car enthusiasts are creating eco-friendly cars
  • Nigerian students will compete in an "Eco-Marathon" in May

(CNN)Sleek chassis, alluring paintwork and a need for speed, but these are no ordinary motors. When pedal hits metal, an eco-friendly process gets set in motion.

Powered by electricity and engineered for efficiency, car enthusiasts from across Africa are sparking home-grown concepts that have gotten experts revving.

    ABUCAR 2

      In Zaria, a city in northern Nigeria, a team of students from the Ahmadu Bello University are currently applying the final touches to the "ABUCAR 2."
      The student