Shell Eco-Marathon is an educational activity that challenges students to design the most fuel efficient vehicle that can travel the longest distance while consuming the least fuel. This year 17 teams from Thailand will join 106 other teams from 13 different Asian countries in this competition. Last year the Army Transportation Engineering School team won the title and set a new record for the Prototype Category, by achieving the greatest distance travelled of 1,521 Km on only 1 litre of fuel.

Pissawan Achanapornkul, Country Chairperson of Shell Company of ThailandLtd., revealed that Shell Eco-Marathon will inspire young people, engineers and scientists to come up with new fuel efficient innovations and translate the concept to practice in order to respond to rising demands for fuel in the future. This year, the challenge sees a wider variety of fuel used, including Ethanol Hydrogen, electronic or solar power. The variety of fuels and global warming reduction awareness are key factors contributing to the development of rising demand for future energy for motor vehicles.

An Auto Max team member, Danai Kongaon, from Patthalung Technical College, said that Shell Eco-Marathon continuously encourages young Thais to develop fuel efficient vehicles. “We have gained a lot of experience and applied strict discipline of teamwork towards the competition. What’s more is that we can transfer this experience to our juniors as well so they continue to put out more innovative ideas and techniques for developing fuel efficient vehicles.”

As for Inno-Gen KMITL V. 1 team member, Chanont Jiwattayakul, from the King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang comments that the challenge is a good opportunity for participants to put their knowledge to the test by actually developing a fuel efficient technology themselves. “This also helps raise awareness about fuel efficiency and allows young Thais to prove themselves and achieve their goal of becoming a champion in one of the categories and promote both Thailand’s and their institute’s reputation.”

Anuchit Klapprasit, Donmuang Technical College-A’s supervisor said that 2 teams from the college are attending the competition this year, one of which opts for electronic power. The reason given for this choice lies in the newly arisen opportunity for contestants to use electronic power, offered by Shell Eco-Marathon’s organizer. “We are interested in this newly available option because we get to study and apply new technology to our work in an attempt to keep pace with changing demands for energy.”

P.K. Evolution team member, Chatmongkol Chayakul, from Pakkred Secondary School added that participating in this competition gives him the opportunity to apply the knowledge he gains from studying physics, chemistry and applied sciences to his project which consequently enhance his understanding of the subjects both in terms of theories and practice. This enables him to successfully invent a clean energy car and therefore thanks Shell for supporting such a magnificent project as this and allowing him to make use of his knowledge.

Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2011 in Malaysia this year is the second year that such an event is held in Asia. This year Thailand is sending 17 teams of energetic young people to compete against 106 other teams from 13 different Asian countries. Given the figure, Thailand ranked third in terms of number of participants, second only to Malaysia and Pakistan that have entered 23 and 18 teams, respectively to compete in the competition.

The list of contestants joining the 2011 challenge

1. King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (sends 2 teams to join the competition.)

2. Army Transportation Engineering School

3. Kasetsart University (sends only one team to join the competition in the Urban Concept category.)

4. Dhurakij Pundit University

5. Donmuang Technical College (sends 2 teams to join the competition.)

6. Panjavithya Technical Training School (sends in 2 teams to join the competition.)

7. Pakkred Secondary School

8. Ayutthaya Technical Commercial School

9. Phattalung Technical College (sends 2 teams to join the competition.)

10. LampangRajabhat University (sends 2 teams to join the competition.)

11. Sakonnakhon Technical College

12. Phitsanulok Business Administration and Technology School

Additional Information:

Shell Eco-marathon, a challenge to identify the most fuel efficient vehicle that can travel the greatest distance on the smallest amount of fuel, was originated in Europe in 1985 and was adopted in America in 2007. Come 2011, Asia has been honoured with the second competition of this kind to be held at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia between 6th and 9th July 2011.

Shell Eco-Marathon 2011 is classified into 2 categories, the Prototype which values the innovative design for the most fuel efficient prototype and the Urban Concept which pays attention to the practical use of common vehicles on the road. In the competition, participants in both categories will use currently available fuels such as Diesel and Gasoline or alternative power such as Hydrogen, Ethanol, solar or Plug-In" Electricity.