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Day one wrap-up

A total of 120 teams have received a green light at the technical inspection, the final barrier between them and the track. Students have honed their car designs since last year’s competition, and found new ways to combine ultra energy efficiency with sustainability. Alongside today’s event thousands of visitors learned more about energy from interactive exhibits, while business leaders and others attended a business forum.

At the end of the first day of Shell Eco-marathon at the Ahoy arena, Rotterdam, many of the 182 teams on site have already rolled for the first time around the new urban circuit. “The track is not as tough as we had imagined,” says Jean Vallet, team supervisor for , whose white bubble-like car is powered by plug-in electric.

Some teams went no further than the technical inspection area. “Adherence to the rules is more important than ever this year,” says Norman Koch, Global Technical Director. “The track is narrower and close to the public so we want to be certain that the competitors and the public are as safe as possible.” The DTU Roadrunners from Denmark had to make some adjustments: fixing a windscreen wiper and tucking in a cable. “We should be on the circuit by now,” says Andreas Junker.

Shell CEO Peter Voser and Mayor of Rotterdam Ahmed Aboutaleb officially opened events, including the inspiration lab offering interactive activities around energy and the Business Forum which brought together business leaders and other experts to discuss challenges facing the planet.

The Carbon Zero team from France in the paddock at Shell Eco-marathon Europe

Driving cleaner energy

While discussions around the future of energy, water and food took place inside the Ahoy, Shell Eco-marathon teams showed their interest in the health of the planet. Team Shelly from Aston University, UK, has focused on sustainable driving. Their car, which runs on hydrogen, has a body is made from cardboard sandwiched between plywood certified by the Forestry Commission. Its tyre covers are bio-resin, infused with hessian fibres. The whole structure can be collapsed for easy delivery. “Cleaner fuels are not enough – we need a step change in the way cars are built and delivered,” says Christian McLering, team supervisor.

Old and new

Many teams have attended past competitions. Team Remmi from Finland has been to every single Shell Eco-marathon, and founded their team in 1976. “We drove for two days in our minivan to get here,” says Jani Pitkanen. Their car is a Prototype powered by petrol. The youngest team on site was Newland House School from the UK, with members aged between ten and thirteen. Their prototype is powered by petrol. “Building a brand new car and transporting it from the UK has been quite a challenge,” says Barry McGovern “We feel we have already won!” At the inspiration lab thousands of visitors of all ages engaged with interactive activities around the future of energy, from measuring kinetic energy by running in a giant inflatable ball to racing miniature cars fuelled by salt water.