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Pinoy eco-cars go head-to-head vs. 94 rivals in Shell Eco Marathon Asia


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 University
 
Team Adamson
Vehicle Name: Falcon One (F-1)
Vehicle Category: Urban Concept
Energy Source: Diesel
 
 
De La Salle University
 
DLSU Eco Car Team – Electric
Vehicle Name: DLSU Archer
Vehicle Category: Urban Concept
Energy Source: Battery Electric
Unique Features: Carbon Fiber Composite Body, Self-fabricated Telemetry System
 
DLSU Eco Car Team – ICE
Vehicle Name: Horizon
Vehicle Category: Urban Concept
Energy Source: Gasoline
Unique Features: Lightweight aerodynamic body
 
 
Don Bosco Technical College – Mandaluyong
 
Ascende Superius
Vehicle Name: Solari
Vehicle Category: Prototype
Energy Source: Battery Electric
 
Team Forza
Vehicle Name: Forza Quaranta
Vehicle Category: Prototype
Energy Source: Gasoline
 
 
Mapua Institute of Technology
 
Aguila
Vehicle Name: Aguila
Vehicle Category: Prototype
Energy Source: Gasoline
Unique Features: Dual Clutch System
 
Haribon
Vehicle Name: Haribon
Vehicle Category: Urban Concept
Energy Source: Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME)
Unique Features: Adopted motorcycle technology
 
 
Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Manila
 
PUP-Hygears
Vehicle Name: Eco Vee
Vehicle Category: Prototype
Energy Source: Diesel
 
Team PUP-Manila
Vehicle Name: Tanglaw
Vehihcle Category: Prototype
Energy Source: Gasoline
Unique Features: Abaca Fiber for the body, Electronic Fuel Injection System, Internal Gear Hub Transmission System
 
 
Technological Institute of the Philippines – Quezon City
 
GTE-Efficacy
Vehicle Name: Prevo III
Vehicle Category: Urban Concept
Energy Source: Gasoline
 
TIP Golden Engineers
Vehicle Name: Prevo II
Vehicle Category: Urban Concept
Energy Source: Battery – Electric
Unique 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 acceleration
 
 
Technological Institute of the Philippines – Manila
 
TIP Mileage
Vehicle Name: Symmetry V3
Vehicle Category: Urban Concept
Energy Source: Diesel
Unique Features: aerodynamic design that decreases drag and air resistance; fiberglass for the body and aluminum for the chassis
 
TIP Mileage Proto
Vehicle Name: Symmetry V3
Vehicle Category: Prototype
Energy Source: Battery Electric
Unique Features: aerodynamic design that decreases drag and air resistance; carbon fiber for the body and aluminum for the chassis
 
 
University of San Carlos

Team Lahutay 2
Vehicle Name: El Krudo 2
Vehicle Category: Prototype
Energy Source: Diesel
Unique Features: Aluminum frame
 
 
University of Santo Tomas

UST Eco-tigers I
Vehicle Name: T400H
Vehicle Category: Prototype
Energy Source: Gasoline
Unique 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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