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Mapua's EV prototype passes technical and safety inspection at Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2026
Mapua University's first battery-electric vehicle prototype, the Aguila Neo Electric, passed the technical and safety inspection at the Shell Eco-marathon Asia-Pacific and the Middle East 2026, which took place in Qatar from January 21 to 25.
According to Cardinal One, the student-led engineering team that competed at the eco-marathon, the vehicle architecture integrated key subsystems including the battery pack, battery management system, motor controller, electric drivetrain, telemetry, braking system, and safety interlocks.
Before the competition, Cardinal One conducted track testing at Philippine race tracks, including the Batangas Racing Circuit, and system validation and low-speed track simulations to assess energy consumption, drivetrain response, system reliability, and safety mechanisms.
Since tribology optimization, emergency shutdown systems, electrical insulation, and structural integrity are essential requirements in the battery-electric category, special attention was paid to these elements.
"During the Shell Eco-marathon 2026 [at] the Lusail International Circuit, Mapua’s battery-electric vehicle successfully passed the technical and safety inspection on the second day of the competition, a record feat in the team’s history," Cardinal One said.
"This achievement confirmed that the vehicle met the stringent standards set by Shell Eco-marathon officials for electric vehicle safety and operational readiness. Mapua University is also the only Philippine team to compete in the Shell Eco-marathon prototype battery-electric category."
Aguila Neo Electric recorded an initial mileage performance of 91 km/kWh.
"This result demonstrated the effectiveness of the vehicle’s energy management strategy, drivetrain efficiency, and overall system integration, especially considering that this was the team’s first entry in the battery-electric category," Cardinal One said.
Moving forward, the team stated that it would utilize insights from inspection feedback, run data, and system performance to further enhance vehicle efficiency, reliability, and competitiveness in upcoming Shell Eco-marathon events. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
