Over 100 Asian teams Gearing Up for Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2010

SEM Asia 2010 has attracted strong response from China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

From Malaysia, 26 teams have registered for the challenge. They include entries from the University of Malaya, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, International Islamic University Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Auto Terminal Training (TEKAT - The Institute of Automotive Technology), The University of Nottingham, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and Curtin University Of Technology (Sarawak Campus).

Dato’ Saw Choo Boon, Shell Malaysia Chairman said: “We are pleased with the strong response from the region as it demonstrates their keen interest to develop more energy efficient solutions and address climate change.”

SEM is about pushing the limits of engineering design and harnessing the ingenuity of the participants to design a vehicle that can go the furthest distance on the least amount of fuel.  

The event is also a celebration of engineering innovation and excellence among young minds as it attempts to raise the clarion call for sustainable mobility in a world that is increasingly under stress from CO2 emissions from energy use. Already, transport accounts for as much as a quarter of global energy use and a corresponding amount of C02 emissions.

The strong entry list for SEM Asia 2010 reflects the passion and interest of Asian youths in finding practical solutions towards sustainable mobility and addressing various challenges with regard to energy use and the corresponding environmental impact. 

“The Shell Eco-marathon engages enterprising young inventors and encourages the progress in innovation for more fuel-efficient solutions for the future. Getting vehicles that can travel the furthest distance using the least amount of fuel is something which almost every motorist aspires for,” said Dato’ Saw.

The 2010 challenge will present vehicles powered by gasoline, gas to liquids or GTL, hydrogen, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), ethanol and solar energy.

In terms of vehicle types, about 70% of the entrants for SEM Asia 2010 have selected to build prototype vehicles which are more futuristic while more than 20% have entered their vehicle in the urban concept category which focuses on the more conventional four-wheel roadworthy criteria.

Teams have begun submitting their technical drawings which will be assessed by Shell fuels specialists to ensure each vehicle is technically sound and complies with the 2010 rules and regulations. As long as teams adhere to safety rules and technical guidelines, the design of their vehicles is limited only by their imagination.

Participating teams have about seven months from now before they rev up their engines for the challenge. Some teams are already working round the clock to ensure that they would have a head start and make an impact at the prestigious fuel-efficiency challenge next year, including finding sponsors and ordering parts to build their vehicles.

Summary of entries by country:

ENQUIRIES:
For further editorial information, please contact Shell Malaysia Media Relations: Cindy Lopez tel: 603 2091 3719, email: cindy.lopez@shell.com or Stephanie Khoo at tel: 603 2091 2115, email: stephanie.khoo@shell.com. For more information on Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2010, visit: http://www.shell.com/home/content/ecomarathon/events/asia/