Two collegiate teams will represent the Philippines in the Shell Eco-marathon Asia-Pacific and Middle East 2023 at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Lombok, Indonesia, from July 4 to 9, 2023. The PUP Hygears from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and the ALTAS Valor from the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA will be part of a global network of student innovators working to create energy-efficient vehicles that reduce emissions and promote sustainability. The winners of this regional competition will compete in the World Championship series in October at the Shell Technology Center in Bangalore, India.
The Shell Eco-marathon is a global academic program that focuses on energy optimization. It is one of the world’s leading student engineering competitions that bring together Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) students from across the globe to design, build, and operate energy-efficient vehicles. Aside from the technical aspect of their entries, each team is also responsible for marketing and coming up with funding for their builds. The competition aims to inspire the Changemakers of Tomorrow to develop innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
During the official send-off lunch held in Makati City on June 29, 2023, Serge Bernal, Vice President for Corporate Relations of Shell Pilipinas Corporation, advised the teams to look at this experience beyond the competition. “Take this opportunity to learn, to meet more people, and to enjoy. Be proud that you are the country’s representatives to progress sustainable mobility. We, at Shell Pilipinas, are proud to support the next generation of innovators through programs like Shell Eco-marathon,” said Bernal.
All competitors follow a strict set of rules and have to pass a technical inspection to compete in the SEM. Vehicles compete in two classes: prototype, which has the potential to reach record-breaking energy efficiency by considering the vehicle’s size, weight, and aerodynamics; and Urban Concept, which is closer to passenger cars in appearance and has to consider human needs such as driver comfort and space for luggage and follow regulations such as having four wheels as well as a windshield wiper. The two classes are further divided into three energy categories: Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), which can run on either gasoline, diesel, or ethanol; Battery Electric (BEV); and Hydrogen Fuel Cell. Prizes are awarded separately for each vehicle class and energy category.
The PUP Hygears’ vehicle, Luna IV, will compete in the Battery Electric Prototype category. By repurposing and reusing materials from last year’s competition vehicle, the team was able to reduce the amount of waste produced during the fabrication process as well as cut down on their expenses. Learning from the devastating damage their vehicle incurred en route to last year’s venue, the team is determined to bounce back and improve their performance.
“We’ve been preparing for this event for months, and we are confident that our car will perform well this time,” said Miguel Licuanan of the PUP Hygear’s Mechanical Team. “It does not only take one person to make a vehicle. It takes a whole team. You don’t just build vehicles; you also connect with the people, thus creating a more efficient vehicle.“
Team ALTAS Valor from the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA with Shell Pilipinas executives | Photo by Mika Fernandez David
Meanwhile, AVALON, Team ALTAS Valor’s vehicle, will compete in the Urban Concept Internal Combustion category. AVALON is powered by a single-piston engine paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). It has a carbon fiber body with enhanced stock parts and an aluminum chassis.
Jacob Moises Torres, the team manager of ALTAS Valor, expressed the team’s excitement for the competition: “It’s a mix of being excited and being nervous for the event. We are looking forward to winning the competition. Part of our preparation was getting guidance from SEM alumni who are also from Perpetual DALTA.“
Also during the send-off event, both teams received valuable mentoring from SEM alumni and current Shell employees Meg Celine Cruz, Joven Talape, Jerome Sta Cruz, and Tito Eusebio. The Race Director for Shell Eco-marathon Asia Pacific and Middle East 2023, Pepon Marave, was also present and imparted these encouraging words to the teams: “There’s nothing like being prepared. When you’re prepared, you’re not stressed. When you’re not stressed, you enjoy.“
The eight members of the PUP Hygears and the nine members of the ALTAS Valor will be flying out on Saturday, ahead of the official start of the competition on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
To learn more about Shell Eco-marathon, visit www.shell.com.ph/energy-and-innovation/shell-eco-marathon.html.