Welcome to 2026: a year that promises to be a year of high energy, all powered by Honda!
Learning as we go and continuous improvement is the name of the game both for our EB schools and us as the Energy Breakthrough team.
Here’s full update of the changes we’ve made for EB2026:
- Modest Changes to the HPV / EEV Vehicle Specifications
- More riders in some HPV / EEV teams
- Additional school marshals for HPV / EEV to improve track safety
- Test N Tune Days
- Webinars with Sustainability Victoria’s Resource Smart Schools
- Webinars with Game Day Nutrition
- Check out the Vic HPV Series
- Pushcarts set for a renewed ‘push’ with new Coordinator
- Robotics will continue to flourish as part of the Sphero Global Challenge, as more satellite events planned
A quick reminder of the key dates:
EVENT DATES:
The 2026 Energy Breakthrough, powered by Honda, will be held on Wednesday 18 – 22 November 2026 in Maryborough, Victoria.
ENTRY DATES:
Entries Open: 12PM Wednesday 11th March 2026.
Entries Close: End of Term 3: Friday 18th Sept
(unless sold out earlier – final day of school term 3 in Victoria)
Modest Changes to the HPV / EEV Vehicle Specifications
There have been modest changes to the HPV and EEV vehicle regulations for 2026.
These changes include:
- Increasing the maximum tyre width in line with current trends.
- Allowing windows to be lightly tinted for improved heat management.
- Increased requirements for the protective foam that is placed around the rider’s head in enclosed vehicles.
- Vehicles with pointed noses will no longer be permitted.
- Reflective strips are to be added to the roof and underside of the vehicles for improved visibility in case of a rollover at night.
- Increasing the maximum weight for EEVs in line with current trends.
- Refreshed Fire Extinguisher requirements for EEVs.
- In-vehicle EEV Power Meters are under review by the EB Technical Team. Further detail to come on these later in the year.
More riders in some HPV / EEV teams
After consultation with schools throughout 2025, we have increased the maximum number of riders from eight to ten riders in three classes:
- HPV B1: For teams with students in Years 7-8. Minimum of six and a maximum of ten riders, and half of the riding team members must be female.
- HPV B2: For teams with students in Years 7-10. Minimum of six and a maximum of ten riders, and half of the riding team members must be female.
- EEV Electric-only: For teams with students in Years 7-12. Minimum of six riders, maximum of ten riders. There are no gender requirements for this class.
We feel this will be well received by schools and help increase the number of students able to take part in the EB program at their school. Please note that all other classes remain as per 2025.
Additional school marshals for HPV / EEV to improve track safety
Additional Marshal
After careful consideration and reviewing feedback from schools, we have decided to increase the requirements for teams to provide THREE marshals rather than two for their marshal shifts during the HPV and EEV track competition.
We acknowledge that this will be an extra burden on schools, but we believe that with plenty of notice it will be achievable and promises to be a good step forward for safety.
Sector Marshal
Marshal teams on Marshal Points #7, #8 and #9 and Marshal Point #3 will also be supported by a ‘Sector Marshal’ from the Energy Breakthrough team who will be on hand throughout the event to provide additional and guidance on the ground.
Marshal Training Videos
Our Marshal Training Videos are also set for a refresh in line with these new changes.
In 2025, we replaced our marshal light panels, added a pedestrian bridge and revised the light / flag system to include a ‘Red + Yellow’ light. These improvements, as well as increased numbers of marshals will help to improve safety for participants and marshals alike.
Test N Tune Days
We have four Test N Tune Days planned with two in Bendigo and one each in Ballarat and Morwell.
- Bendigo – Term 2: Friday 22nd May 2026. BACK-UP DATE (Weather): Friday 29th May 2026.
- Ballarat – Term 4: Tuesday 13th October 2026
- Morwell – Term 3 or Term 4: August or September. Date to be confirmed with the Gippsland Go Kart Club.
- Bendigo – Term 4: Friday 23rd October 2026.
Opt-in will be available via MyEB after Wed 11 March.
Webinars with Sustainability Victoria’s Resource Smart Schools
We are excited to be continuing our partnership with the Sustainability Victoria’s Resource Smart Schools (RSS) program into 2026. EB schools will once again have the opportunity to ‘opt in’ to take part in the RSS program which seeks to embed sustainability practices in fun, hands on ways throughout both your EB teams and school.
Opt-in will be available via MyEB after Wed 11 March.
Webinars with Game Day Nutrition
Fuel your bodies for training for the Energy Breakthrough. A session specifically designed for school students preparing for the rigours of the Energy Breakthrough, presented by two leading Accredited Sports Dieticians – Sophie and Ola from Game Day Nutrition.
- Tuesday 19th May at 12:30pm – 1:15pm (Lunchtime)
- OR
- Tuesday 19th May at 4pm – 4:45pm (Afterschool)
Platform: MS Teams
Please note the session will be repeated in the afternoon, so schools should only book in to ONE of the TWO sessions. Content will be targeted to and presented for school students, so students are strongly encouraged to attend!
Opt-in will be available via MyEB after Wed 11 March.
Check out the VicHPV Series
Looking to add more HPV events to your school calendar in 2026?
Check out the 2026 Victorian Human Powered Grand Prix Series which offers a series of race distances and locations for you to hone your team work, mechanical knowledge and experience. This series is delivered by the Casey Cardinia HPV & Cycling Club.
DATES – LOCATIONS – RACE TIMES:
- 14th March – Calder Park – 9am – 4pm
- 2nd May – Casey Fields – 10am – 4pm
- 25th July – Sandown Raceway – 9am – 4pm
- 17th October – Casey Fields – 9am – 5pm
Pushcarts set for a renewed ‘push’ with new Coordinator
In 2025, we appointed Brooke Davies as our new Pushcarts Coordinator and Brooke will be offering school visits and support to help encourage more teams into this category in 2026.
We will also be making some further refinements to the Pushcarts program to bring the Sprint competition onto Track 1 – and these will be announced soon!
Robotics will continue to flourish as part of the Sphero Global Challenge, as more satellite events planned
Rob Higgins returns as our enthusiastic Robotics Coordinator. Rob will not only be rolling out the Robotics as part of the Sphero Global Challenge in Maryborough, but is also looking forward to bringing single day Robotics Challenges to south Gippsland and Country Education Partnership (CEP) clusters of schools through regional Victoria.
Best of luck to all taking on the Energy Breakthrough, powered by Honda, in 2026!
We are all set for some high energy fun!
Nigel Preston
Education Team Leader
Energy Breakthrough
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