Shell Eco-Marathon
Competition Overview
The CVRT participates every year in a regional competition called the Shell Eco Marathon. The Shell Eco-marathon is a unique competition that challenges students around the world to design, build and drive the most energy-efficient car. With three annual events in Asia, Americas and Europe, student teams take to the track to see who goes further on the least amount of fuel (http://www.shell.com/energy-and-innovation/shell-ecomarathon/about.html).
Vehicle Categories
There are 2 major categories that classify every vehicle: prototype and urban concept. Prototype vehicles are designed strictly to achieve maximum efficiency, while focusing very little on driver comfort. Urban Concept still focuses on energy efficiency, but a more effort goes into the design for practical vehicle use. There are 5 fuel categories that all these vehicles are limited to: gasoline, diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cell. In the past, the CVRT has entered a variety of vehicles: a prototype electric and diesel, and urban concept electric and diesel.
In 2019 the CVRT will exclusively compete in the Urban Concept Division.
Technical Inspection
The most challenging aspect of the competition is the technical inspection of the vehicles. Every vehicle has to go through numerous stations, where judges go over every design feature of the vehicle. If there is something that violates a rule or is deemed unsafe, the team must go back to their paddock and fix this problem. Once it is fixed the judges review the solution and if it meets their standards it then passes. Once every inspection station is passed then the vehicle can participate in the race. Often times, teams do not pass the technical inspection and never get to race.
Drivers' World Championship
Starting in 2016, the Shell Eco Marathon added a twist to the competition by incorporating a speed aspect that the top teams from each urban concept division participates in called the Drivers World Championship. The overall goal of the Drivers World Championship is to find the world's fastest and most efficient driver!
Here at NFA, our students are making global changes to create a better future for all!