Students coming from areas all across Asia and Middle East arrived in Manila to engage in an event happening in the heart of the Philippines, bringing along their fuel efficient machines they built. It was joined by 109 student teams to compete in the 5th edtion of Shell’s annual Eco-marathon Asia.
This will be the first Shell Eco-marathon Asia to be held in Manila, since it was previously held at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The new urban setting is fit to measure the length a machine could travel using only a litre of fuel.
Representing our home soil are 15 teams from the Philippines’ top engineering schools. They will be competing with different students from all across 15 countries including Egypt – who is using two teams to represent their country for the first time.
“We are very excited to be hosting the Shell Eco-marathon Asia in the Philippines. As you know, this will be the first time that the competition will be held in an urban circuit, giving students a chance to apply their technical knowledge to creating vehicles that can run in a real world setting.” said Roberto Kanapi, Vice President for Communications of Shell Philippines “The student participation from, not just the Philippines but the whole of Asia and the Middle East, is overwhelming. I am delighted to see the next generations willingness and commitment to finding solutions to the world’s current and future energy requirements.”
The students are expected to join either the Prototype or UrbanConcept vehicle categories of the competition. The Prototype category will allow student teams to showcase cars of the future –cars designed for maximizing fuel-efficiency through innovative design elements such as drag reduction. The UrbanConcept category concentrates on more roadworthy fuel-efficient vehicles. This also aims at meeting the basal needs of drivers, while achieving higher-mileage car designs on the roads today.
“I feel really proud, seeing our vehicle and the other team’s vehicles, because I believe there’s a lot of potential” said Rafael Mina, Team Manager of the DLSU Prototype Eco-Car Team – Philippines “What makes our vehicle unique are the solar panels and the aerodynamic design. For us, it’s form over function. We wanted to make a vehicle that works well but looks good at the same time.”
There will be 24 On-Track awards with prize money of $2000 and $1000 for Winners and Runners up in both Prototype and UrbanConcept categories. On another note, teams will also be battling for six Off-Track awards: Communications, Vehicle Design, Technical Innovation, Safety, Perseverance and Spirit of the Event and Shell Helix Tribology Award. The Shell Helix Tribology Award is an off-track award that acknowledges student teams that demonstrate the use of lubrication engineering principles to improve the fuel efficiency result of their vehicles.
The Shell Eco-marathon flag-off ceremony will be held on February 7 in Luneta while the closing ceremony and awards presentation will be held on February 9 at the Fiesta Pavilion of Manila Hotel.
On a different note, the general public also has the chance to experience the Shell Energy Lab, a simulating activity that explores the future of energy, technology and mobility. The parading display s and activities will enable visitors to change their perspective about the future and the worlds growing demands on resources.
Shell Eco-marathon has four Global Partners:
- HP: Official Global Information Technology (IT) Partner
- Michelin: Official Global Paddock Partner and Tyre Supplier
- The Linde Group: Official Global Paddock Partner
- Southwest Research Institute: Official Global Paddock Partner
Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2014 is held in partnership with the Philippine Government: Department of Tourism, Department of Energy and the City of Manila. Private sector partners are Unilever Philippines, Solane, Coca-Cola, Globe, Lego and Hyundai.
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.