Indian teams win big at 2020 Virtual Shell Eco Marathon Asia
Indian teams won four awards out of the six categories being contested at the first-ever virtual Shell Eco-Marathon Asia. This is the first-ever virtual iteration of this event, with the physical round being called off due to the COVID19 pandemic.
Students were evaluated online for the off-track awards in the technical innovation, vehicle design (prototype and urban concept), communications, safety and circular economy categories. Team Eco Titans from VIT University won the communications award for their well-integrated communications efforts including elements like cross-nation seminars, exhibitions, rallies, radio segments and social media outreach. In the circular economy category, Team Pravega from the Government Engineering College, Barton Hill won for their eco-friendly prototype made from 100% bamboo fabric combined with glass fibre and powered by electrical energy.
Team DTU E-Supermileage from the Delhi Technological University won the vehicle design award in the prototype category for their innovative aerodynamic and fuel-efficient vehicle design which includes a carbon fibre (G1CM) body structure. The safety award was bagged by Team Inferno from the Sir M Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology, whose approach to safety includes standardised protocols for drivers, vehicle transportation, battery management, risk assessments and several other on-site best practices.
This is the 35th anniversary of Shell Eco-marathon, organizers decided to keep the event in this unnatural situation to honour the work put in by students and ensure the continuity of the programme. Around 50 teams from 16 countries participated, including eight from India. Students also submitted videos of their creations on the move for the judging process. The winners were announced on Twitter by Shell Eco-marathon Global General Manager Norman Koch. F1 driver for Scuderia Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, joined the ceremony as a special guest.