Malaysian teams sweep 4 top awards at Shell Eco-marathon asia 2016

MANILA, 8 March 2016 – Four Malaysian teams – two from Universiti Teknologi MARA (“UiTM”) Shah Alam; as well as one each from Universiti Malaya (“UM”) and Monash University Malaysia – did the country proud, sweeping the top awards for their categories at the recently concludedShell Eco-Marathon Asia 2016 in Manila, Philippines. 

This year, Team UiTM Eco-Sprint from UiTM Shah Alam Malaysia scored a hat-trick – emerging as champions in the Prototype Hydrogen Fuel Cell category for the third year in a row, with another record-breaking mileage of 476 km/m3.

The university’s other team, Team UiTM Eco-Planet emerged as champions of the UrbanConcept Hydrogen Fuel Cell category once again, debuting a 3-D printed car that was assembled from 120 individually-printed parts, with each part taking approximately 10 hours to complete.

“We chose to 3-D print our car as it’s lightweight, economical, reduces fabrication time and ensures zero fabrication errors. As we only had a small, office-sized 3-D printer, we spent over 1,200 hours printing the individual parts which we assembled together when we arrived in Manila,” said Mohd Syafiq Akmal Samsudin from Team UTIM Eco-Planet.

Team Eco-Voyager from Universiti Malaya (UM) came in second place for the Prototype Hydrogen Fuel Cell category, recording a mileage of 244km/m3 and improvement over their previous year’s performance. Meanwhile, Team Eco-Chaser from Monash University Malaysia clinched the top spot in the Prototype Compressed Natural Gas (“CNG”) category with a mileage of 95km/l, the approximate equivalent of driving from Kuala Lumpur to Port Dickson on just one (1) litre of fuel.

This year’s winners bested 117 student teams from 17 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Australia. The competition challenges students to design, build and drive the most energy-efficient car with a unique focus on going farther, not faster. Results are measured on who can drive the furthest on the equivalent of 1 kWh or 1 litre of fuel.

Teams submitted vehicle entries in either the Urban Concept or Prototype category in any of the seven different energy types: gasoline, diesel, alternative gasoline (ethanol 100), alternative diesel (Shell Gas-to-Liquid or fatty acid methyl ester), battery electric, or hydrogen fuel cell. 

In the “Prototype” category, student teams will focus on streamlined vehicles focused on maximising fuel efficiency through innovative design elements, such as drag reduction. The “UrbanConcept” category will focus on more “roadworthy” fuel-efficient vehicles. Aimed at meeting the real-life needs of drivers, these vehicles are closer in appearance to the higher-mileage cars seen on the roads today. 

“The Shell Eco-Marathon brings together the best and brightest to tackle the world’s growing need for more and cleaner energy, especially when it comes to mobility in the future. The Malaysian teams this year have been truly inspiring; demonstrating vision, passion and technical expertise to drive future innovation. Shell is delighted that the Eco-Marathon has become a key platform for Malaysian students to develop and showcase their talent in science, engineering, technology, business, marketing and communications; which can contribute to helping Malaysia realise its aspiration of becoming a high-income nation. Shell looks forward to remaining a key partner in fuelling Malaysian progress – whether through the Eco-Marathon or other high-impact programmes like it,” said Leigh Wong, spokesperson for Shell in Malaysia.   

In addition to the 24 On-Track awards, teams also competed for five Off-Track Awards that tested their technical and creative skills, as well as their approach to safety and sustainability. A panel of experts from various fields judged the students on a variety of categories that covered Communications, Vehicle Design, Technical Innovation, Safety, and Perseverance and Spirit of the Event.

Shell Eco-marathon Asia welcomed close to 30,000 members of the public over the span of four days, who got up close to the student competition and watched live performances at the Fan Zone. Visitors were also treated to a captivating and educational adventure into the future of energy, cities and sustainability at the Energy Zone, and enjoyed an outdoor festival where they were able to participate in activities and grab a bite to eat. Shell Eco-marathon 2016 shows Shell’s commitment to helping the world meet its growing energy needs in a responsible way, bringing together students, partners and the public.  

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.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

• To access event images, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/shell_eco-marathon/ 
• To access event videos, please visit: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL027E2B6D9900A88F 
• Follow updates from Shell Eco-marathon at: www.twitter.com/shell_ecomar 

About Shell Eco-marathon

Shell Eco-marathon began in 1939 at a Shell research laboratory in the United States as a friendly wager between scientists to see who could get the most miles per gallon from their vehicle. The winner of that contest barely achieved 50 mpg (21 km/l), and from these humble origins, a more organized competition evolved. In 1985 in France, Shell Eco-marathon as we know it today was born. In April 2007, the Shell Eco-marathon Americas event was launched in the United States, and in 2010, the inaugural Shell Eco-marathon Asia was held in Malaysia, up until 2013. Since 2014, the event has been held in Manila, Philippines, which will continue to host the event until 2016.

For further Media Enquiries, please contact:

Leigh Wong

Head of Media Relations & Issues Management, Shell Malaysia  

Cell: +60 12 525 8029, Email: leigh.wong@shell.com

APPENDIX: OVERVIEW OF SHELL ECO-MARATHON ASIA 2016 WINNERS

PROTOTYPE CATEGORY

Hydrogen

Battery-electric

Petrol (gasoline) Fuel

Diesel Fuel

Alternative Fuel

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

URBANCONCEPT CATEGORY

Hydrogen

Battery-electric

Petrol (gasoline) Fuel

Diesel Fuel

Alternative Fuel

Off-Track Awards Winners:

Communications

• Team Nanyang 3D-Printed Car

  Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 

Team Nanyang 3D-Printed Car harnessed the strategic value of media engagement and social amplification by hosting their own event to engage local media, which also resulted in international media attention. In addition, the team also employed a social media strategy that extended beyond their own social channels, by engaging with niche technology online communities in Singapore to encourage further word-of-mouth on their team and car. The same team is also the winner of the Vehicle Design and Safety awards. 

Vehicle Design

• Team NSTRU Eco-Racing

  Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University, Thailand

Team NSTRU Eco-Racing won for their full monocoque chassis and professional-looking design which was lightweight, clean and compact. They employed a centrepetal-based drivetrain system which allowed for coasting with no drag, which was simple yet effective. The full construction of the vehicle was made in-house by the students which keeps to the spirit of the competition – driving innovation to achieve sustainable mobility. 

• Team Nanyang 3D-Printed Car

  Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 

Team Nanyang 3D-Printed Car impressed with their innovative 3-D printed ABS plastic blocks to form the body of their vehicle, which was hailed as an ingenious and cost-effective technique that has potential application in vehicle production. All electronics within the vehicle were also properly insulated and used CANBUS wiring which resulted in less wiring and easy diagnostics, allowing for ease of maintenance and high speed connectivity. The same team is also the winner of the Communications and Safety awards. 

Technical Innovation

• Team Nanyang E-Drive

  Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 

Team Nanyang E-Drive impressed with the application of a unique battery fire suppression system which utilises CO2 to prevent the battery from igniting as a result of overheating. This self-created technology – which was partly devised using a guitar string – was simple, effective and robust in ensuring that both the driver and the vehicle remained safe while it was on the track. As more hybrid vehicles are produced for everyday usage, the ability to manage battery safety becomes more of a front focus, and this technology could soon be applied to commercially manufactured cars.  

Safety

• Team Nanyang 3D-Printed Car

  Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 

Team Nanyang 3D-Printed Car impressed with their consistency in upholding safety as a priority in everything that they did. From the design and production of their vehicle, to the manner of how they operated within the paddock, they showcased a culture of safety that has been instilled in each and every one of their team members. The same team is also the winner this year of the Communications and Technical Innovation awards.

Perseverance and Spirit of the Event 

• Team BITS

  Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), India 

Team BITS showed great resilience and perseverance despite facing multiple setbacks from even before they had left their home country for the event in Manila. Despite the lack of support – both financially and morally – from their school and families back home, they remained positive and chose to move forward amidst all the challenges faced, and were focused on preparing whatever they could for their car. The team demonstrated that the event is not just about winning, but is also a platform for them to pursue their passions.