PUP, UPHSD to ready to compete
TWO college teams from the Philippines–the “Hygears” from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ and “DALTA’s ALTAS Valor” from the University of Perpetual Help System off to Lombok, Indonesia for the global leg of the Shell Eco-marathon.
The teams are part of a global network of student innovators working to create energy-efficient vehicles that reduce emissions and promote sustainability. Last year the Hygears competed alongside De La Salle University (DLSU) Eco Car Team. To compete, entries have to pass a detailed technical inspection before being allowed on the track to see how far they can go on the least amount of fuel.
Shell Eco-marathon (SEM) is a global competition that challenges student teams to design, build, and test energy-efficient vehicles. It aims to inspire the Changemakers of Tomorrow to develop innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
Why the Shell eco-marathon?
Why does a company like Shell, a processor of fossil fuels be interested in sustainability and cutting down carbon emissions?
In recent years, the world has witnessed an increasing focus on sustainable development and reducing carbon emissions. Shell however has been doing it for over 35 years.
The Shell Eco Marathon originated in 1939 in a Shell research laboratory in the United States. It aimed to create a platform for students to design, build, and test energy-efficient vehicles.
Recognizing the importance of this global initiative, Shell Philippines introduced its own version of the event in 2010, aptly named the Shell Pilipinas Eco Marathon. One of the areas that has seen tremendous progress is the field of sustainable mobility.
The inaugural SEM in the Philippines event took place in 2010, bringing together university and college students from across the country to showcase their innovation and engineering prowess. The competition featured vehicles in two main categories: the Prototype, focusing on futuristic and energy-efficient designs, and the Urban Concept, emphasizing practicality and eco-friendliness for daily urban commutes.
READ: Does the Shell Eco-marathon’s have a real impact on sustainable mobility?
The first Shell Eco-marathon Asia was held at the F1 Sepang Race Track in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Mapua Institute of Technology aimed modestly, a 200km/L for their test runs before the competition. They didn’t win but the team was elated to have participated in the event.
Over the years, the Shell Eco Marathon has evolved, attracting more participants and encouraging collaboration between students, academic institutions, and industry experts. The competition fostered a spirit of healthy competition, pushing participants to go beyond conventional norms and develop groundbreaking ideas for sustainable mobility.
An opportunity to learn
“Take this opportunity to learn, to meet more people, and to enjoy. Be proud that you are the representatives of the country to progress sustainable mobility. We at Shell Pilipinas are proud to support the next generation of innovators through programs like Shell Eco-marathon,” Serge Bernal, Vice President for Corporate Relations of Shell Pilipinas Corporation asks for the teams to look at this experience beyond the competition.
PUP Hygears’ vehicle Luna IV will be joining the Battery Electric Prototype category. The vehicle aims to reduce the amount of waste produced during the fabrication process by reusing and repurposing the materials used for their vehicle last year. This year, PUP Hygears is determined to bounce back from last year’s competition and to improve their performance.
“We’ve been preparing for this event for months, and we’re confident that our car will perform well this time,” Miguel Licuanan, one of the Mechanical Team members of PUP Hygears said. “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, and thus creating a more efficient vehicle.”
ALTAS Valor’s vehicle named AVALON is joining the Urban Concept Internal Combustion category. AVALON is an automatic engine powered by Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). It has a carbon fiber body with enhanced stock parts and an aluminium chassis.
“It’s a mix of being excited and being nervous for the event. We are looking forward to winning in the competition. Part of our preparation is getting guidance from SEM alumni who are also from Perpetual DALTA,” Jacob Moises Torres, the Team Manager of ALTAS Valor, said as he also expressed the team’s excitement for and optimism for the competition.
The teams also received mentoring and coaching from Meg Celine Cruz, Joven Talape, Jerome Sta. Cruz, and Tito Eusebio who are SEM alumni and are also Shell employees. Pepon Marave, the Race Director for Shell Eco-marathon Asia Pacific and Middle East 2023 was also present at the send-off program held on June 29.
“There’s nothing like being prepared. When you’re prepared, you’re not stressed. When you’re not stressed, you enjoy,” Marave, a Filipino multiple Formula 3 Asia champion said.
SEM 2023 will take place at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Lombok, Indonesia from July 03 to 09.
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ERRATUM:
In the previous version published last June 30 the first paragraph mentioned:
“TWO high school teams from the Philippines–the “Hygears” from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ and “DALTA’s ALTAS Valor” from the University of Perpetual Help System off to Lombok, Indonesia for the global leg of the Shell Eco-marathon.”
This was corrected to:
“TWO college teams from the Philippines–the “Hygears” from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ and “DALTA’s ALTAS Valor” from the University of Perpetual Help System off to Lombok, Indonesia for the global leg of the Shell Eco-marathon.”
Malaya Business Insight Motoring page apologizes for the oversight.
