Dutch students have taken the second big prize at the World Solar Challenge in Australia thanks to Eindhoven University, which won the cruiser class competition for family cars.

The Stella Lux crossed the finishing line in second place behind a Japanese car but won the top prize on points because it was more comfortable and could carry more passengers, the organisers said.

The two-man team completed the 3,000 kilometre Australia crossing with an average speed of 76 kph. Eindhoven were defending champions, having taken the prize when the cruiser class was launched two years ago. The World Solar Challenge takes place every two years.

Last week, Delft University took top place in the challenger event, which is all about speed, narrowly beating students from Twente into second place.