Teams representing 18 universities and technology institutes across India, have cleared Phase I registrations and are gearing up for Phase II registrations to compete in the sixth year of Shell Eco-marathon Asia (SEM Asia). Shell Eco-marathon challenges high school and university students from around Asia to design, build and test energy efficient vehicles. From a number of participants at SEM Asia, the winning team will have to cover the maximum distance using the least amount of energy.
Commenting on the entries seen in this year’s registration process, Dr. Yasmine Hilton, Chairman Shell Companies, India said, “Through Shell Eco-marathon, we are able to bring together current and future leaders on a single global platform to think about the world’s energy challenge. We are delighted to have received entries from some of the top engineering institutes of India this year and are confident of such talent will help to advance innovative energy solutions for the future.”
The teams will field Prototype and Urban Concept vehicles, powered by gasoline, diesel, electric battery and compressed natural gas (CNG). Jeevan Renjith, team manager from Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), which is putting forth a Prototype concept named ‘Eklavya’, said, “It is a huge moment for our team to clear phase I registrations for this year’s Shell Eco-marathon. We will put all our energies and hard work in the next round to make it to the final list and we hope to see our vehicle on the streets of Luneta Park in Manila.”
Vinay Bhajantri, team manager from the Indian Institute of Technology (Bombay) said, “It is inspiring to see the line-up of teams that have cleared the first round for SEM Asia so far, and this makes us keen to push ourselves for winning the competition at Manila this year.”
The registration process for SEM Asia includes a number of rounds that challenge students to push their ideas to the limit. Interested teams submit their car designs in the form of pictures and sketches in the first round. In the second round, which is scheduled from 13th August to 8th September this year, shortlisted teams are expected to provide more technical data on their vehicle. The selection process will conclude with the final registration phase in September. These registration rounds will provide key technical information which judges will evaluate before selecting finalist teams to participate in SEM Asia 2015.
The grand finale of the competition will be held in Luneta Park located at the heart of Manila in Philippines from 26th February to 1st March, 2015, providing once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for talented teams to showcase the ingenuity of their design and ideas. In the final, teams will cover 10 laps, each 1.2 kms long.
Universities from India that have cleared Phase I of registrations for SEM Asia represent Sir M Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology, Bangalore; Delhi Technological University, New Delhi; Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani; VIT University, Vellore; RV College of Engineering, Bangalore; K.J.Somaiya College Of Engineering, Mumbai; Sir M Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology, Bangalore; KIIT University, Bhubaneswar; SRM University, Chennai; Dr. B.R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar; Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, Gandhinagar; Government Engineering College Barton Hill, Thiruvananthapuram; National Institute Of Technology, Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore; Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, Mumbai; Madras Institute of Technology, Chennai; Yadavrao Tasgaonkar Institute of Engineering & Technology (YTIET), Bhivpuri, Karjat; Indian Institute of Technology – Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi and Lovely Professional University, Phagwara.
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.
Drivers are looking to scientists (81%) and engineers (82%) to help them save fuel and energy in the future, and Shell is calling on the next generation of Indian’s science and engineering talent to lead the way.