Associação TLMoto
Organization Details
About
TLMoto is a student engineering project based at Instituto Superior Técnico (University of Lisbon, Portugal). The team brings together students from diverse academic backgrounds to design, build, and optimize high-performance electric motorcycles in the international MotoStudent competition.
The project offers students the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to a complex engineering challenge, combining theoretical learning with practical design, manufacturing, testing, and project management. It operates within an academic environment that encourages collaboration, and innovation.
Mission and Objectives
TLMoto's mission is to shape the professionals of the future through the development of electric racing motorcycles, promoting innovation and teamwork.
By involving students in the entire development process, from initial concepts and computer-aided design to manufacturing, system integration, and testing, TLMoto bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world engineering. Members develop technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork skills while contributing to advances in electric mobility.
Beyond engineering and competition, TLMoto also seeks to raise awareness of social causes through initiatives associated with its motorcycle prototypes.
Our Journey
TLMoto was established in 2012 as a student engineering project focused on participating in MotoStudent. Its first prototype, the combustion-powered TLM01i, competed in 2014. The team later transitioned to electric mobility, progressively developing its expertise in battery technology, electronics, and vehicle integration through successive prototypes: the TLM02e, TLM03e, TLM04e, and TLM05e.
The TLM05e is the team's lightest prototype to date, designed with engineering reliability at its core. Each generation builds on the knowledge and experience gained from previous prototypes, allowing the team to refine its engineering solutions and improve vehicle performance and reliability.
Activities and Programs
TLMoto's activities cover the full development cycle of an electric racing motorcycle, alongside the continuous training of its members:
- Engineering design and development: Designing and refining motorcycle components to meet performance, safety, and competition requirements.
- Manufacturing and prototyping: Manufacturing custom components in-house, giving members practical experience with production processes.
- Electric mobility: Integrating high-voltage powertrains and electronic control systems for electric racing.
- Testing and optimization: Evaluating the motorcycle in laboratory and track conditions to improve performance and reliability.
- Training and workshops: Organizing technical training sessions and workshops, both internally and in collaboration with industry partners.
- Exhibitions & public engagement: Presenting prototypes at technology events, such as Web Summit, and university fairs to promote engineering and electric mobility.
Updates on the team's activities are published in our newsletters.
Impact
TLMoto complements university education by giving students practical experience in managing complex engineering projects under real-world constraints, developing technical, communication, and teamwork skills that prepare them for their future careers.
Participation in MotoStudent allows the team to measure its work against university teams worldwide. The TLM02e marked a milestone as the first electric motorcycle built by university students in Portugal, while the TLM05e achieved 20th place overall at MotoStudent 2025. These achievements bring recognition to Técnico and Portugal and inspire future generations.
TLMoto welcomes students from different academic backgrounds, allowing them to apply their knowledge, gain hands-on experience, and contribute to meaningful results beyond their fields of study.
The project's impact also extends to social causes. The TLM05e was associated with Pink October (Outubro Rosa), raising awareness of breast cancer and promoting prevention and early diagnosis. Through this initiative, TLMoto reinforced its social commitment and sought to give back to the community that supports the project.
Ultimately, TLMoto aims to develop skilled engineers, managers, and leaders who combine technical expertise with social awareness and a commitment to positive change.
Organization and Domain
Associação TLMoto is the nonprofit organization associated with the TLMoto project presented on this website. The team operates within the academic context of Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, and carries out the engineering activities described above.
The tlmoto.pt domain was acquired and is operated by Associação TLMoto for institutional communication and organizational services, including Google Workspace and official organizational email addresses.
TLMoto's public website is hosted under the Instituto Superior Técnico domain because the project is part of the university. The two domains therefore serve different purposes: tlmoto.tecnico.ulisboa.pt is the public website of the team, while tlmoto.pt is used for institutional services. Visitors to tlmoto.pt are redirected to the public website.