Perth Lord Mayor Dr Peter Nattrass was there to farewell the Jaycar Sunswift III and the UNSW Solar Racing Team of 11 students and three support vehicles.
The team is hoping to beat Smith's world record by three days by arriving at Sydney Harbour on Monday January 15.
UNSW Solar Racing Team project leader Yael Augarten said: "Jaycar Sunswift III is a vehicle to inspire Australians about what the future may hold for sustainable road transport: it's efficient, it's lightweight and it's solar powered.
"Sure, it doesn't have much in the way of air conditioning, and it is rather sleek, but this is a demonstration vehicle. In much the same way that a Formula 1 vehicle demonstrates what is possible with a combustion engine, you're not going to take the kids to school in it just yet."
