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For the Spectators
Shell Eco-marathon challenges teams of science, engineering and technology students around the world to design, build and test energy efficient vehicles capable of traveling more than 3,000 miles on the equivalent of one liter of fuel.
The Discovery Green track is real city streets located in downtown Houston.
A Global Forum
The program culminates in three days of competition at locations in the Americas, Europe and Asia.
Shell Eco-marathon isn't just a contest. It is also a global forum for discussing the energy demands of growing populations, efficient solutions for today’s transportation needs, and the role of innovation and technology. The event not only inspires a future generation, but it engages leaders from academia, government, businesses – and you.
For young people interested in innovation, energy, and transportation, Shell Eco-marathon offers a rare, hands-on opportunity to stretch the boundaries of fuel efficiency, using real-life experience and technology, where the winner is the team that goes the farthest distance using the least amount of energy.
There’s electricity in the air
Following a successful trial in 2010, Shell has fully introduced a new electric mobility, or e-mobility, category for this year. Cars running on electric engines can use hydrogen, solar or ‘Plug-in’ battery technologies as energy sources.
Vehicles taking part in the new category will be equipped with a joulemeter to measure how much electricity they use over a set distance.
The 2011 event also marks the fifth anniversary for Shell Eco-marathon Americas, and the second year, in the history of the global events, that it has taken place on real city streets in downtown Houston.
Shell Eco-marathon can trace its roots back to 1939 and a friendly bet between scientists at a Shell research facility in Illinois, as to who could drive their own car the farthest on a gallon of fuel. The winner managed a little over 50 MPG. In 1985, Shell harnessed that spirit of friendly competition and established Shell Eco-marathon as a way to inspire students to explore fuel efficiency and to foster debate and partnership around smarter mobility.
The future will need a mosaic of energy solutions, and growing markets need innovation and industry leadership. Shell is contributing to a smarter transportation future with smart options for our customers and credible advice for our markets and policy makers. Shell Eco-marathon is an important part of Shell’s response to this energy challenge.
And, it’s an amazing experience!