Teams from India have bagged awards in four out of six categories at the first virtual Shell Eco-marathon Asia Off-Track Awards, which otherwise is 35th edition of this annual team competition. While the on-track event was cancelled in lieu of the COVID-19 pandemic, students were evaluated online for the off-track awards in categories Technical Innovation, Vehicle Design (Prototype and Urban Concept), Communications, Safety and Circular Economy. Student teams from India walked away with a $3000 prize money each, by winning awards in four out of six categories, as follows:
- Team Eco Titans from VIT University won the Communications Award for their notably integrated communications efforts including elements like cross-nation seminars, exhibitions, rallies, radio segments and social media outreach.
- Team Pravega from the Government Engineering College, Barton Hill won the Circular Economy Award for their successful creation of an 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.
- Team Inferno from the Sir M Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology won the Safety Award for their remarkable approach to safety including standardised protocols for drivers, vehicle transportation, battery management, risk assessments and several other on-site best practices.
The winners were announced in a virtual ceremony live on Shell Eco-marathon’s Instagram and Twitter on June 3, 2020, led by Shell Eco-marathon Global General Manager Norman Koch. Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 Driver Charles Leclerc joined the ceremony as a special guest.Around 50 teams from 16 different countries participated in the virtual Shell Eco-marathon Off-Track Awards for the Asia region. Students submitted their entries with video content to show their work in action. Jury members connected online to select the winners for the six award categories: Vehicle Design (Prototype and Urban Concept), Technical Innovation, Communications, Safety and Circular Economy.
“We are proud of the student teams representing India in the 2020 Shell Eco-marathon Asia Off-Track Awards. I would like to congratulate all the winners and participants who have done a remarkable job in demonstrating future-ready, innovative and energy efficient vehicles. It is inspiring to see the enthusiasm and passion in these students despite the unprecedented and trying times. We will continue to empower talented minds to make our country a destination for efficient and sustainable mobility solutions”, said Nitin Prasad, Chairman, Shell Companies in India
Talking about their journey, Sanjeev Poduri, Team Manager, Team Eco Titans, VIT University said, “This victory is special as 2020 has been a difficult year for us. We had put in everything in preparation for the event and we are so glad to have seen this come to fruition. As the team manager all I can say, no matter what adversities occur, hard-work and dedication always pay off.”
Sree Tejas S, Team Manager, Team Inferno, Sir M Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology, said, “We are happy to be a part of this historical event and immensely proud to represent and even more so to win an award for India at a prestigious international competition!”
