Streets ahead: students across Europe compete for fuel efficiency on brand new street circuit

Imagine designing and building a car to go as far as possible on the least amount of fuel. Sound challenging? More than 3,000 students from across Europe are preparing to do exactly that, putting their driving skills and scientific knowledge to the test on a brand new street circuit designed for the 2012 Shell Eco-marathon.

This is the first year that the challenge is being held on city streets, making it accessible for the public to experience the challenge first-hand and for students to apply their knowledge on fuel efficiency to the public road. This 28th edition of Shell Eco-marathon Europe has moved from Germany and takes place on May 17-19 in the new host city of Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

A first in Europe
The move to a street circuit, a first in Shell Eco-marathon Europe history, offers new challenges for the 227 competing teams invited from 24 countries. It sets a new standard for years to come. With five 90° corners on the route, teams will need to rely on their driving skills this year with braking, accelerating and cornering accounting for up to 50% of the results. Taking the challenge to the streets demonstrates the practical applicability for future mobility and energy efficiency, and brings Shell Eco-marathon Europe closer to the public.

A kind new host
In the city of Rotterdam, Shell has found a perfect partner. The city has years of experience in hosting large scale events and festivals and aims to be the European Green Capital in 2014.

Alexandra van Huffelen, Alderman of Rotterdam explains: “Rotterdam is proud to host such a large and meaningful event as Shell Eco-marathon Europe. We continuously stimulate all sorts of sustainable mobility initiatives to achieve cleaner air quality, reduce noise nuisance and half CO2 emissions and this event is also a great fit with our commitment to become world’s most sustainable world port city in 2014. We are confident the location of the circuit and Shell’s professional approach will attract many visitors from across Europe.”

 
A three day event: what’s on offer
Shell Eco-marathon is gaining evermore popularity among the general public. Therefore this year’s European competition will entail much more than the fuel economy challenge for teams; it will provide a unique and inspiring experience for people of all ages across Europe to experience the future of energy and mobility with a variety of interactive activities for the public.

Peter Voser, CEO of Royal Dutch Shell plc, adds: “Shell Eco-marathon is all about working together on sustainable solutions to the world’s energy challenges. Through the creativity of a new generation of engineers and a partnership with the city of Rotterdam, we aim to showcase Europe’s talent in designing innovative approaches to the future of energy.”

Shell Eco-marathon Europe 2012 is again supported by Michelin - supplier of tailor-made tyres for Shell Eco-marathon vehicles and the Linde Group, supplier of the fuel-type Hydrogen. This year’s edition also welcomes a new partner; Royal Dutch Touring Club ANWB which supplies technicians and track marshals.

Want to learn more? Get a feel for the event through the short video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1UkcMSH8XA - opens in new window

About Shell Eco-marathon Europe
Shell Eco-marathon is one of the world’s most innovative and challenging student competitions held annually in Europe, America and Asia. High school and college student teams from around the world are challenged to design, build and compete with energy efficient vehicles.

The winner is the team that goes the farthest distance on 1 kWh or 1 litre of fuel. Shell Eco-marathon brings together current and future leaders and people who are passionate about finding sustainable solutions to the world’s energy challenge. Shell Eco-marathon is a visible demonstration of Shell’s commitment to help the world meet its growing energy needs in a responsible way by working together with students and partners around the world.

The 28th edition of Shell Eco-marathon Europe takes place from May 17-19 2012 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with around 200 participating teams invited from 24 countries. Various events around the challenge are organized at the venue to engage and inspire European citizens who are interested in the future of our energy and the technologies to meet our future needs.
 
The Shell Eco-marathon is a global initiative with similar events in the US and Asia: Shell Eco-marathon Americas takes place from March 29 to April 1 in Houston, USA and Shell Eco-marathon Asia: from July 4-7 in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia

Royal Dutch Shell plc
Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 90 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied natural gas and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects. For further information, visit www.shell.com.