Current and future leaders to rise to smarter mobility challenge

By 4th July, a total of 119 teams had registered for the event, with 81 entries in the Prototype category and 38 in the UrbanConcept category. The Prototype category invites student teams to enter futuristic cars – streamlined vehicles focused on maximising fuel-efficiency through innovative design elements, such as drag reduction. The UrbanConcept category focuses on more “roadworthy” fuel-efficient vehicles.  Aimed at meeting the real-life needs of drivers, these vehicles are closer in appearance to the higher-mileage cars seen on roads today.

Cars in various shapes, colours and designs were spotted on the tracks of Sepang. The teams are also seen using a wide diversity of materials to construct their vehicles. Team USM-EVT from Universiti Sains Malaysia entered a Battery Electric UrbanConcept vehicle constructed primarily of wood and rattan, a plant fibre indigenous to the region, while Team UPM Green Blitz from Universiti Putra Malaysia entered a vehicle whose chassis was made of recycled soft drink cans.

This year’s competition saw five (5) countries/territories whose students are taking part in Shell Eco-marathon Asia for the first time: Lebanon, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and South Korea. "This is our first time taking part in Shell Eco-marathon Asia with our Prototype electric vehicle. We're proud to be a part of Shell Eco-marathon and we hope we can achieve a respectable position this year," shared Vanig Bostanian of Team Lau Go Green, a Mechanical Engineering student from the Lebanon American University.

Shell Eco-marathon Asia first timers from Qatar University are also the first team to use Gas to Liquid (GTL) fuel to compete in the Asia event since it debuted in 2010. "We've redeveloped our vehicle and it now features a whole new Diesel GTL engine. We're very confident that our vehicle will be reliable on the track and hopefully break new records," said Bilal Walid Abdullatif of Qatar University’s Team Gernas2.

Before being allowed to run on the tracks, each team’s vehicle is subject to rigorous technical inspections to ensure that each meets the safety standards set out by Shell. Carried out over two days prior to the official flag-off of the competition, vehicles are tested on a list of aspects that include everything from braking, to seat belts, vehicle dimensions and visibility before being deemed fit to compete. As of press time, 52 teams had passed the technical inspection and had their vehicles cleared for the main event.

Last year’s Shell Eco-marathon Asia record holders Team Luk Jao Mae Khlong Prapa of Thailand’s Dhurakij Pundit University, who clocked a distance of 2,213.4 kilometres on a single litre of fuel, was the first team this year to pass its technical inspection and get on the track with their Ethanol E100 Prototype vehicle.

Getting a headstart in the competition, Team Manager Panusit Kampantong said, “Our vehicle this year features a new automatic acceleration function and a brand new engine. We are confident that we can win again this year but the competition looks stronger and we'll have to see how the other teams fare."

As students continued to work hard with the vehicle trials on the track, Mr. Mark Gainsborough, Executive Vice-President, Global Commercial, Shell, highlighted the significance of the Shell Eco-marathon against a backdrop where world energy demand is set grow exponentially, making it critical for energy companies, the transport industry, businesses, governments and inventors of the future - like the participants at this year’s competition - to work together to meet the mobility challenges of the future. 

“Shell Eco-marathon brings together current and future leaders and people who are passionate about energy issues and asks them to think about sustainable solutions to the world’s energy challenge. With the rapid population growth and urbanization in Asia, demands on mobility are set to increase dramatically, and we will be challenged to move the world’s growing number of people and goods safely, cost-effectively and with reduced impact on the environment, whether by land, air or sea,” he said.

Mr. Gainsborough also reiterated the importance of combining smarter products, including fuels, lubricants, alternative energy and technology solutions, with smarter infrastructure as well as smarter everyday use. “There is no single solution to the energy challenge. However, with commitment from the energy industry, transport companies, governments, and policymakers alike to work together and with customers, we have taken the important first steps towards finding a truly sustainable and viable solution,” he added, referring to the Future Energy, Smarter Mobility Forum for business and government stakeholders set to take place in conjunction with the start of student competition.

Meanwhile, student participants received a surprise treat from Scuderia Ferrari official driver, Felipe Massa, one of the top Formula One drivers of the 21st Century. He sent words of encouragement to them in a video message: “To all the students competing at Shell Eco-marathon Asia, good luck.”

The Sepang International Circuit will be open on July 6 from 2:00 pm to 7:00pm and on July 7 from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Visitors should enter via the Paddock Club Entrance and can watch the event from Paddock Club (PC) 1.

For more information on all Shell Eco-marathon events across the globe, including official rules, instructions for registration and details on prizes, please visit the Shell Eco-marathon website at www.shell.com/ecomarathon. 

About Shell Eco-marathon
Shell Eco-marathon began in 1939 at a Shell research laboratory in the United States as a friendly wager between scientists to see who could get the most miles per gallon from their vehicle. The winner of that contest barely achieved 50 mpg (21 km/l), and from these humble origins, a more organized competition evolved. In 1985 in France, Shell Eco-marathon as we know it today was born. In April 2007, Shell Eco-marathon Americas event was launched in the United States, and in 2010, the inaugural Shell Eco-marathon Asia was held in Malaysia.  Malaysia will continue to host Shell Eco-Marathon Asia until 2013, following which, the event will move to Manila, Philippines from 2014 to 2016.

INQUIRIES:
Cindy Lopez
Head, Asia-Pacific Media Relations
+6 012 282 1765

Mich Villar
Shell Spokesperson, Asia-Pacific
+63 9175366424

Serene Loo
Shell Spokesperson, Asia-Pacific
+65 91868504