STUDENTS FROM ASIA, MIDDLE EAST AND AUSTRALIA TAKE ON FUEL EFFICIENCY CHALLENGE

Pakistan: Today at the historic Luneta Park in Manila, Asia’s most fuel-efficient vehicles built by students were flagged off, signalling the official start of Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2015. The annual competition challenges the region’s aspiring young engineers to build vehicles of the future that can go the farthest on the least amount of energy. It brings together current and future leaders, along with a broader public and encourages debate around sustainable solutions to the challenge of rising global energy demand.

As the Shell Eco-marathon enters its 30th year globally, the sixth Asian edition of the student innovation competition welcomes new entrants from Australia, Bangladesh, Oman and Saudi Arabia for the first time in its history. A public festival celebrating innovative thinking and future mobility, Shell Eco-marathon will be held for the second time at a specially designed street circuit in Manila.

“Shell Eco-marathon is a crucible of innovation. A place where good ideas on energy efficiency and smart design can get their first real-world trials. Maybe one of these students will go on to design the car of the future,” said Shell’s Chief Human Resources and Corporate Officer Hugh Mitchell, as he led the flag-off ceremony.

A future generation of engineers and scientists, totalling 127 student teams from 17 countries all across Asia, the Middle East and Australia are competing at Shell Eco-marathon Asia until March 1, when the final results will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Manila Hotel.

Student teams will participate in either the Prototype or UrbanConcept vehicle categories of the competition and in any of the following energy types: gasoline, diesel, alternative gasoline (ethanol 100), alternative diesel (Shell Gas-to-Liquid or fatty acid methyl ester), battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), a new energy type introduced for the 2015 competition. Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2015 will see three teams using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a source of energy for their vehicles.

Shell Fan Zone unveiled
A new attraction at this year’s Shell Eco-marathon is the Shell Fan Zone where visitors can get close to the track, learn more about the energy challenge, grab a bite to eat and possibly meet celebrity drivers and personalities.

Visitors also have a chance to view educational exhibits that explore what the world and cities might look like in the future.

At the Shell Fuel Save Fact or Fiction Celebrity Driving Challenge this morning, Philippines’ Bianca Gonzalez was announced the winner after she recorded 57km/l on the Shell Eco-marathon track. For this challenge, celebrities from the region drove the Shell Urban Concept Car, a fuel-economy vehicle of the future that resembles today’s road cars. Visitors also witnessed an interactive myth busting demonstration at the Shell Fan Zone.

Press Release