Students from around the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East region are just days away from arriving in Qatar for the inaugural Shell Eco-marathon in the Middle East.

The event, hosted under the patronage of Qatar Museums Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, in collaboration with Qatar Auto Museum, is being held from February 8 to 12 at Lusail International Circuit.

In a statement, Rob Maxwell, managing director of Shell Companies Qatar, shared his enthusiasm: “The excitement is building as we get ready to welcome brilliant young minds from around the world to Qatar. This event highlights the country’s unwavering commitment to innovation and education, and Lusail International Circuit will provide the perfect environment for these talented students to showcase their cutting-edge, energy-efficient vehicles.

Shell Eco-marathon is a global academic programme that challenges student teams to design and manufacture energy-efficient vehicles capable of traveling the farthest with the least amount of fuel. The programme aims to push the boundaries of what is technically possible and inspire young people to become leading scientists and engineers of future energy solutions.

Student teams can participate in one of two vehicle classes: Urban Concept or Prototype. Urban Concept vehicles have familiar road car features and more closely resemble passenger cars, while the Prototype category consists of ultra-efficient, lightweight vehicles designed to achieve record-breaking distances using minimal fuel.

The cars are powered by one of three energy sources: internal combustion engine, battery electric, or hydrogen fuel cell. They employ advanced engineering techniques, aerodynamics, lightweight materials, and innovative designs to maximise efficiency. Beyond technical skills, Shell Eco-marathon encourages collaboration, teamwork, and problem-solving among participating students, providing a platform for young minds to showcase their talent, creativity, and passion for engineering and sustainability.

Through Shell Eco-marathon, Shell aims to inspire and support the next generation of engineers, scientists, and innovators in their pursuit of sustainable solutions. More information is available at www.shellecomarathon.com.