ASIAN YOUTHS KICK OFF FIRST FUEL EFFICIENCY CHALLENGE AT SIC

Hundreds of Asians students have risen to the challenge of producing a vehicle which could help the world meet its growing desire for mobility in a more sustainable way.

Some 81 teams from 10 countries around Asia have gathered for the flag-off of the first-ever Shell Ecomarathon Asia, now being held at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The event marks the first time that the Shell Ecomarathon , which has been running in Europe since 1985 and the United Stated since 2007, has been brought to Asia. This allows young Asian talents to take up a  longstanding challenge from Shell: design, build and drive a vehicle that can travel the furthest distance on the least amount of fuel and lowest possible CO2 emissions.

Flagging off by Shell Executive Vice President for Global Business to Business and Lubricants Tan Chong  Meng, said: “Ever since mankind invented the wheel, we have been addicted to mobility, and over the years, we have pushed the technological boundaries of travelling further, faster and more economically. The shell Ecomarathon adds a much needed twist..to achieve all of these ambitions without injuring our planet”.

 

 

“When I mingled with the students earlier today, one of you asked me, ‘wouldn’t this put Shell out of business?’ Well frankly, yes, but at Shell, we also recognize that the way energy in used today is not sustainable. Hence, we are striving to do our part to meet the world’s growing demand for energy. We work with partners to create more fuel efficient products, improve the way they are used, and help push the frontiers on transport infrastructure. We call this ‘smarter mobility’.”

Also gracing the flag-off was Dato’ Sri Peter Chin, Malaysia’s Minister for energy, Green Technology and Water, as well as ambassadors, High Commissioners, business leaders and guests from Malaysia and around the region.

Their vehicles come in various shapes and sizes, some resembling sleek capsules to minimize drag, and others decked in solar panels to catch the energy from the Sepang sun overhead. The students’ choice for fuel sources were also as diverse as the region they represent, from gasoline, biofuels, hydrogen fuel cells and diesel.

Pakistan has fielded the largest number of teams (20), followed by Malaysia (19) and Thailand (13), Indonesia (9), and Singapore(8). Others have come from Japan, the Philippines, China and India.

Many students were just as excited about being part of the inaugural Asian Eco-Marathon. Indonesian Team Exia of Institut Teknologi Bandung, relished the experience. “ the support from friends and family overwhelming. We hope to win this for them,” Elingselasri, its team leader said. Team Exia, which is one of nine teams from Indonesia, is also in the lead for one of the off-track award, the “people’s Choice Award”, with over 51,000 votes from online supporters.

For more information on the Shell Eco-Marathon, please visit www.shell.com/ecomarathon