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Pinoy eco-cars go head-to-head vs. 94 rivals in Shell Eco Marathon Asia
By KIM LUCES, GMA News
Photo credit: Shell Eco Marathon
Fifteen student teams from various universities and colleges in the Philippines are among the 109 teams from countries across Asia and the Middle East competing in Shell Eco Marathon (SEM) Asia 2014. The competition kicked off today, February 7, in Rizal Park, Manila.
The goal is to build vehicles that can go the farthest on the least amount of energy. The student-designed, fuel-efficient vehicles are running in a street circuit, a race track composed of temporarily closed public roads – a first for SEM competitions.
There are two categories: Prototype and Urban Concept. The Prototype category showcases the most aerodynamic and fuel-efficient vehicle possible using innovative design elements. Meanwhile, the Urban Concept category focuses on more “roadworthy” fuel-efficient vehicles. The latter is aimed at meeting the real-life needs of drivers, making them closer in appearance to higher-mileage cars seen on roads today.
Among the Philippine student teams are the following:
Adamson UniversityTeam AdamsonVehicle Name: Falcon One (F-1)Vehicle Category: Urban ConceptEnergy Source: DieselDe La Salle UniversityDLSU Eco Car Team – ElectricVehicle Name: DLSU ArcherVehicle Category: Urban ConceptEnergy Source: Battery ElectricUnique Features: Carbon Fiber Composite Body, Self-fabricated Telemetry SystemDLSU Eco Car Team – ICEVehicle Name: HorizonVehicle Category: Urban ConceptEnergy Source: GasolineUnique Features: Lightweight aerodynamic bodyDon Bosco Technical College – MandaluyongAscende SuperiusVehicle Name: SolariVehicle Category: PrototypeEnergy Source: Battery ElectricTeam ForzaVehicle Name: Forza QuarantaVehicle Category: PrototypeEnergy Source: GasolineMapua Institute of TechnologyAguilaVehicle Name: AguilaVehicle Category: PrototypeEnergy Source: GasolineUnique Features: Dual Clutch SystemHaribonVehicle Name: HaribonVehicle Category: Urban ConceptEnergy Source: Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME)Unique Features: Adopted motorcycle technologyPolytechnic University of the Philippines – ManilaPUP-HygearsVehicle Name: Eco VeeVehicle Category: PrototypeEnergy Source: DieselTeam PUP-ManilaVehicle Name: TanglawVehihcle Category: PrototypeEnergy Source: GasolineUnique Features: Abaca Fiber for the body, Electronic Fuel Injection System, Internal Gear Hub Transmission SystemTechnological Institute of the Philippines – Quezon CityGTE-EfficacyVehicle Name: Prevo IIIVehicle Category: Urban ConceptEnergy Source: GasolineTIP Golden EngineersVehicle Name: Prevo IIVehicle Category: Urban ConceptEnergy Source: Battery – ElectricUnique Features: powered by a 1KW brushless low friction, high torque motor with additional gear reduction using mechanical gear of a mountain bike; uses 4 dixc X pattern brakes system; racing tire was used for better grip and better accelerationTechnological Institute of the Philippines – ManilaTIP MileageVehicle Name: Symmetry V3Vehicle Category: Urban ConceptEnergy Source: DieselUnique Features: aerodynamic design that decreases drag and air resistance; fiberglass for the body and aluminum for the chassisTIP Mileage ProtoVehicle Name: Symmetry V3Vehicle Category: PrototypeEnergy Source: Battery ElectricUnique Features: aerodynamic design that decreases drag and air resistance; carbon fiber for the body and aluminum for the chassisUniversity of San Carlos
Team Lahutay 2Vehicle Name: El Krudo 2Vehicle Category: PrototypeEnergy Source: DieselUnique Features: Aluminum frameUniversity of Santo Tomas
UST Eco-tigers IVehicle Name: T400HVehicle Category: PrototypeEnergy Source: GasolineUnique Feature: Hybrid System
Also competing are teams from Brunei Darussalam, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.
Photo credit: Shell Eco Marathon
Past achievements
A team from the Philippines has yet to win a major award in the SEM competition. But in past marathons, several local teams have received special awards.
Back in 2010, Mapua's Team Atlanta won the 2nd place Safety Award, while Don Bosco's Team Grigio got a special recognition for demonstrating safety compliance.
A year after, Mapua Institute of Technology's Team 'Amihan' won a Safety Award for their “effort to comply with the safety rules and integrate safety concerns into their vehicle design and construction”.
Also in 2011, the team from the University of the Philippines won the Diesel Fuel Award for their urban concept vehicle entry 'Kidlat' which runs on a hybrid diesel engine. However, the state university is not participating this year.
In August last year, the De La Salle University Eco-car team was given the Communications Award for “its creativity and efficacy in creating public awareness that helped gain a strong footprint in educational institutions as well as industry bodies”.
Filipino hospitality
In the five years that the SEM has been running, this is the first time that it will be conducted in a street circuit. This is also the first time the competition is being held in the Philippines, and foreigners are already getting a taste of our hospitality.
SEM reported that the car of one team from India sadly failed to reach Manila. The students, however, still wanted to compete even if this meant building an entire car in two days.
“After a plea for body parts last night, Team De La Salle offered to lend them their Prototype car from 2012 – minus some parts they are using in their new vehicle. It was housed on their university campus, just 30 minutes away,” a report from SEM's site said.
“We’re glad to help,” Ephrem Silvano, member of the De La Salle team told SEM. “I’m sure they’d do the same for us – and it’s the Filipino way!”
The Eco-warriors still had to buy and assemble the car’s missing parts.
“We might be up all night but we are so thankful,” team member Senthil Subsannanian told SEM. — TJD, GMA News
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