Fuel conservation marathon kicks off
Hundreds of Asian students have risen to the challenge of producing a sustainable and efficient vehicle.
Hundreds of students from across Asia have risen to the challenge of producing a vehicle which could help the world meet its growing desire for mobility in a more sustainable and efficient manner.
As track runs for first-ever Shell Eco-marathon commenced on Friday, students kept their eyes on the prize – the planet.
Some 81 teams from 10 countries have come together for the event being held at the Sepang F1 Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between July 8 and 10. Pakistan has registered the highest number of teams and students making up almost 25 per cent of the congregation. Other teams come from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, China, India and the Philippines.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority announced plans to reduce fuel prices by six to seven per cent earlier this month, but according to the Chairman of Shell, Zaviji Ismail, long-term solutions were required if energy challenges were to be met.
According to him, Pakistan consumed 62 million tons of fuel and the number was likely to go up to 140 million tons within the next 15 years. “What then?” questioned Ismail.
He pointed out that local production needed to be maximised and in order to avoid shortage of resources, innovations were required.
The technological progress being made at the marathon was one step in this direction. The cars were not meant to be fast and in fact when the track runs began it was efficiency that was measured and not speed.
Ultimately, a slower car could use less fuel to go a further distance.
The innovation does not end at the racetrack. A Swedish participant from 2006 went on to start his own company with the aim of commercially producing fuel-efficient vehicles.
Participants were interested in both, the technical and the environmental aspects of the competition.
“This is the technology for the future,” said 23-year-old Hassan, a student from NUST. “The world has enough pollution and emissions. We can create the change!”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 10th, 2010.
As track runs for first-ever Shell Eco-marathon commenced on Friday, students kept their eyes on the prize – the planet.
Some 81 teams from 10 countries have come together for the event being held at the Sepang F1 Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between July 8 and 10. Pakistan has registered the highest number of teams and students making up almost 25 per cent of the congregation. Other teams come from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, China, India and the Philippines.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority announced plans to reduce fuel prices by six to seven per cent earlier this month, but according to the Chairman of Shell, Zaviji Ismail, long-term solutions were required if energy challenges were to be met.
According to him, Pakistan consumed 62 million tons of fuel and the number was likely to go up to 140 million tons within the next 15 years. “What then?” questioned Ismail.
He pointed out that local production needed to be maximised and in order to avoid shortage of resources, innovations were required.
The technological progress being made at the marathon was one step in this direction. The cars were not meant to be fast and in fact when the track runs began it was efficiency that was measured and not speed.
Ultimately, a slower car could use less fuel to go a further distance.
The innovation does not end at the racetrack. A Swedish participant from 2006 went on to start his own company with the aim of commercially producing fuel-efficient vehicles.
Participants were interested in both, the technical and the environmental aspects of the competition.
“This is the technology for the future,” said 23-year-old Hassan, a student from NUST. “The world has enough pollution and emissions. We can create the change!”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 10th, 2010.