Story and photos by Randy S. Peregrino
AFTER three consecutive and successful years of hosting the prestigious Shell Eco-marathon Asia, Pilipinas Shell recently launched the country’s first-ever and local rendition of the prevalent series at Clark International Raceway (CIS) in Pampanga. From February 3 to 5, Shell Eco-marathon Philippines ran and revived the excitement among the participating teams on the quest for the ultimate energy efficiency. By putting their own innovative cars of the future, teams aimed for the farthest distance traveled on a single unit of energy—electric battery, ethanol, natural gas, petrol and diesel.
“Our world today is exciting, dynamic and fast moving, and now faces one of its greatest challenges to generate more energy while producing less carbon dioxide,” Pilipinas Shell President Cesar G. Romero said. “Shell Eco-marathon is a visible demonstration of Shell’s commitment to help the world meet its growing energy needs in a responsible way by working together with students, partners and other stakeholders. Through Shell Eco-marathon, we bring together students who are passionate about developing mobility solutions,” he added.
Now with 26 teams composed of 260 Filipino engineering students from 17 different universities all over the country, Pilipinas Shell continues to reach out to other potential schools with fresh talents and skills to be part of the crusade. And as a challenger event, teams participating will then proceed to compete against student-teams from the Asia and Middle East regions at the inaugural Make the Future Singapore 2017 featuring the Shell Eco-marathon to be held in Singapore from March 16 to 19.
Universities participated
The Manila-based universities, which are the mainstays of the Shell Eco-marathon Asia, again partook in this local version. These were Mapua Institute of Technology, University of the Philippines, Technological Institute of the Philippines, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Adamson University, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas and National University. But, this year, more schools from the provinces also participated. In the Southern Tagalog region, De La Salle Dasmariñas and Malayan Colleges of Laguna represented the provinces of Cavite and Laguna respectively. The lone delegate from the Visayas was University of San Carlos of Cebu. As for Mindanao, Ateneo de Davao and University of Davao are both from Davao del Sur, while Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) is from Lanao del Norte. All in all, these colleges comprised the 26 teams of different vehicle categories and energy sources.
Going through strict inspections
Considered, perhaps, the most stringent process during the entire competition was the combined safety and technical inspection. This is to determine if the vehicle complies with the long checklist to ensure its overall integrity. “For example, there’s a specific dimension, height, width, tire track and wheelbase, so that we’ll have a fair competition and also for stability. There’s a height-to-width ratio, plus overall weight target. Though there’s no limit, there’s a minimum driver weight at 50 kilos. There are actually 10 stages of inspection based on the checklist. That’s because safety is the foremost step to be on the tracks,” event technical director Colin Chin explained. From braking, visibility, exit, driver’s gears, safety equipment, these are just few from the numerous areas to be examined. Considering the gravity of the entire procedure, the lone team from the Visayas, University of San Carlos from Cebu, was the first to successfully complete the tough inspection with their diesel-propelled prototype vehicle.
Basic rules and safety
Each team was only allowed to have 10 members (including the team manager, faculty advisor, driver and an optional reserve driver) in the competition. Drivers should be at least 16 years of age and that are active students from the educational institution being represented. Team names were also permitted to use, provided it’s research-appropriate.
As for safety, Pilipinas Shell and the organizers have been a firm advocate of their “Goal Zero” policy. It is an important task to ensure that there is no harm to people, no damages to assets and no detriment to the environment. These sets of rules are applicable both to the drivers, their cars and to the rest of the team, including their respective paddocks.
Most innovative and energy-efficient vehicles
In the end, six different teams that competed in different categories brought home the glory to their respective alma maters. Emerging as champion in the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Prototype Category was Mapua Institute of Technology’s Team Aguila with an impressive total mileage run of 401.35 km/l. The University of Santo Tomas UST Eco-tigers, on the other hand, was first runner-up with a 336.8 km/l run, while the Ateneo de Davao University Blue Knights I secured the second runner-up position with a record run of 151.01 km/l.
Topping the ICE Urban Concept Category was the De La Salle University-Manila DLSU Eco Car-Team ICE with 86.33 km/l. And, again, the University of Santo Tomas through its Eco-Tigers II team, which earned second place with 82.29 km/l. Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines’s Team Dagisik finished best in the Battery Electric Urban Concept Category with a total mileage of 110.03 km/kWh.
Image credits: Randy S. Peregrino