Official Rules and Regulations

The Shell Eco-marathon has been challenging students from around the world to design and build energy efficient vehicles for many years with the ultimate goal to drive them at the annual events in the Americas, Europe and, as of 2010, Asia.

The 2011 season saw the resounding success of our new e-mobility category, in particular the Battery Electric class (formerly ‘Plug-In Battery’ class). In line with our long standing tradition of keeping Shell Eco-marathon challenging and relevant to current automotive and energy trends, we are continuing the ‘urbanisation’ of the challenge by moving the Europe event from a race-track environment to the city streets of Rotterdam, Netherlands. Further, in 2013, competitors will be allowed to integrate a PV (photovoltaic) element in the body of Battery Electric vehicles.

We strongly encourage all competitors to read these Official Rules thoroughly and completely. Although we have made every effort to highlight significant changes to last year's rules in Blue, too many regulations are often overlooked, causing disappointment during the events.

The vehicles may use one of the following fuel or energy types:

Internal Combustion

• Shell FuelSave Unleaded 95 (EU and Asia) / Shell Regular 87 (US) Petrol/Gasoline ** 
• Shell FuelSave Diesel (EU) / Shell Diesel (Asia and US) ** 
• Shell Gas To Liquid (100% GTL) (EU and Asia, not available for the Americas event)
• Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (100% FAME) 
• Ethanol E100 (100% Ethanol)

**The gasoline and diesel provided by the Organisers are the Shell fuels prevalent in the local markets where the events take place. For testing and tuning purposes in the team’s home countries where Shell FuelSave Unleaded 95 and Shell FuelSave Diesel are not available, it is recommended to use the locally available Shell Unleaded 95 or Shell Diesel instead.

Electric Mobility

• Hydrogen 
• Solar***
• Battery Electric

***Weather conditions will vary throughout the event and solar competitors need to take this factor into account during the competition.

Chapter I rules apply globally to all Shell Eco-marathon events. Please also review Chapter II, to be released closer to the regional events, which forms part of the official rules and is specific for the region you are going to compete in.

Here is an overview of changes included in the 2012 Rules:

1. Safety:

• Race Director authority
• Driving Rules
• Driver & Equipment

2. General:

• Vehicle Design
• Propulsion and Energy Storage System Isolation
• Visibility
• Horn
• Clutch and Transmission
• Exhaust System
• Emergency Shut-Down

3. Prototype:

• Turning Radius and Steering
• Prototype Braking

4. UrbanConcept:

• Dimensions
• Vehicle Body
• Tyres
• Braking
• Wet Weather Running

5: Energy Sources:

• Vehicle Electric Systems
• Technical Documentation
• Internal Combustion: Propulsion; Fuel Tanks; Vehicles using hybrid technology; Starter
• Electric Propulsion; Fuel Cell Powered Vehicles; Solar Powered Vehicles; Battery Electric Vehicles

ATTENTION: Rule Changes in 2013 and 2014

Shell Eco-marathon 2013 Official Rules will encourage integration of a PV (photovoltaic) element in the body of Battery Electric vehicles. See the 2012 Official Rules for more information on this change.

In order to increase on-track safety and minimize track opportunities in urban environments, it’s currently planned to set the maximum turning radius for Prototype vehicles in Europe to 10m, but this change will only take effect in 2014.

You should read these Official Rules thoroughly and completely. If you have questions, you may direct them to Shell Eco-marathon organisers in your region:

• Americas: ecomarathonamericas@shell.com
• Asia: eco-marathon-asia@shell.com
• Europe: shell-eco.marathon@shell.com

The Shell Eco-marathon regional events in the Americas, Europe and Asia each have Chapter II Rules specific to the competition in that region. Chapter II Rules for each region will be released closer to the events in those regions.