Students Gear Up for 2015 Shell Mileage Challenge in Detroit

Houston, TX (February 17, 2015) - In just under two months, more than 1,000 high school and university students from across the Americas - Brazil, Canada, Guatemala, Mexico and the United States - will hit  Detroit’s downtown streets with a fleet of custom built, ultra-energy efficient cars, all competing in Shell Eco-marathon Americas 2015.

For more than 30 years, Shell Eco-marathon competitions have challenged future automotive engineers and scientists to push the limits - drive the farthest distance using the least energy. Student-built prototype vehicles have achieved more than 3,500 miles per gallon in the Americas challenge.

This year marks the ninth edition of Shell Eco-marathon Americas and the first ever in the auto industry capital. One hundred schools plan to send 144 teams to Detroit April 10 – 12, competing in vehicles they have designed, built and tested over the past year. 

“Shell Eco-marathon is an invaluable program, shaping the industry leaders who will drive future automotive innovation,” said Niel Golightly, Shell Vice President External Relations for the Americas. “Beyond hands-on design and engineering experience, the students practice teamwork and problem solving on the fly - all important for future success.”

This event will see the return of veteran teams such as Université Laval from Quebec, Canada, which took first place last year, and broke the Americas mileage record in 2013 with an astonishing 3,587 mpg. The University of Toronto is also back, hoping the lessons learned from its second place finish in 2014, and hard work on a new car, will finally wrest the title from its Quebec rival.

Shell also welcomes several new teams for 2015, including an expanded roster from the Motor City and Brazil. While many teams are under pressure to finalize their vehicles and ensure they are ready for the start line at Cobo Center in Detroit in April, one veteran student team from Cedarville University got a chance to showcase their car to visitors at the Shell Innovation Track at Detroit’s North American International Auto Show.

While at the track, the students met with Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, Lt. Governor Brian Calley as well as Team Penske executives.

“I think what Shell is doing is great,” said Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. “Encouraging these young engineers to look at opportunities to be more environmentally sound and more energy efficient can bring industry benefits to Michigan and the nation.”

While there, Shell and Team Penske announced an exciting three-year technical support program that will help all student teams. In addition to providing online video conference support, Team Penske will also provide on-site judging for Shell Eco-marathon Americas vehicle entries for the off-track awards, as well as opportunities for behind-the-scenes tours at Team Penske offices.

“I’m pleased that Shell has committed to having this event in our city, which is terrific for Detroit and for Michigan,” said Bud Denker, Penske Corporation Senior Vice President. “We want these students to attend Michigan universities and to work for Michigan-based companies. So, we have committed to providing Team Penske technical support to Shell Eco-marathon Americas teams for the next three years and to provide related support to ensure the success of the program.”

Team Penske NASCAR drivers Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski took to the Shell Innovation Track inside Cobo Center to test drive the Cedarville team’s UrbanConcept vehicle, “Urbie”, which currently gets about 550 miles per gallon. Student-built UrbanConcept vehicle entries can achieve as much as 1,000 miles per gallon and include features such as headlights, windshield wipers and room for a passenger. 

“Shell Eco-marathon offers a great opportunity to apply some of the things you learn in the classroom,” said Tyler Dicks, a Cedarville University junior. “You learn some specialized skills that you wouldn’t necessarily get in an academic setting.”

The public is invited to watch the young competitors on the streets downtown, and join the fun inside Cobo Center for free. Covering more than half a million square feet indoors, the multi-sensory journey into the world’s energy future and seeing what the student teams are doing behind the scenes of the competition is both exciting and educational for all ages. Free tickets for Shell Eco-marathon Americas are available at www.shellecomarathon.us.

For more information about all 2015 events across the globe, including additional details on vehicle class requirements, official rules and details on prizes, please visit the Shell Eco-marathon website at www.shell.com/ecomarathon.