Shell Eco-marathon Americas 2025
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, USA
April 2-6, 2025
This legendary track once again played host to an exciting display of innovation from teams across the Americas. Engineering teams from the U.S.A., Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Colombia came together to push the boundaries of energy efficiency.
The results are here! Scroll down to see who our On-track winners are, as well as view the teams and entries to the Off-track awards.
On-Track Winners
Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)
- 1st Place – Knights ICE from Alden-Conger High School, USA | 516.34 mpg
- 2nd Place – Runnin' on Fumes from Kankakee Valley High School, USA | 444.37 mpg
- 3rd place - Penn State UCC from Penn State University, USA | 400.31 mpg
Hydrogen Fuel Cell
- 1st Place - Experimental Vehicle Team 1 from Saint Thomas Academy, USA | 125.31 mi/m3
Battery-Electric
- 1st Place – Team RUDI from Mater Dei High School, USA | 103.92 mi/kWh
- 2nd Place – Knights BE from Alden-Conger High School, USA | 65.42 mi/kWh
- 3rd Place – Gold Warriors from Wawasee High School, USA | 42.49 mi/kWh
Off-track Winners
Communications Award sponsored by HAVAS Media Network
The Communications Award highlights the importance of storytelling and outreach, rewarding teams that creatively and effectively communicate their Shell Eco-marathon journey.
Winner: Cornell Electric Vehicles, Cornell University, United States
Judges’ Remarks: With a strategy focused on their priority audience, this team reached their goals through creative storytelling, alumni engagement, and informative social media touchpoints. Their consistent use of LinkedIn and Instagram, paired with innovative content like “day in the life” features, showcased a thoughtful and evolving communications approach.
Runner-Up: EcoVolt CCM, ITESM Ciudad de México, Mexico
Data and Telemetry Award sponsored by Schmid Elektronik
The Data and Telemetry Award celebrates teams that harness the power of data to optimise vehicle performance and enhance overall strategy.
Winner: EcoVolt CCM, ITESM Ciudad de México, Mexico
Judges’ Remarks: A practical and sophisticated entry that combines telemetry with advanced analytics and AI for smarter, more sustainable driving. Their open-source IoT platform, neural networks, and a specialised language model work together to refine energy predictions and enhance on-track performance.
Runner-Up: Cornell Electric Vehicles, Cornell University, United States
Carbon Footprint Reduction Award sponsored by Shell Low Carbon Solutions
The Carbon Footprint Reduction Award is presented to teams demonstrating the most effective strategy in prioritising the reduction of carbon footprint while maintaining or enhancing mileage challenge performance, reflecting the growing importance of low-carbon transportation initiatives.
Winner: Team EcoVolt CCM, ITESM Ciudad de México, Mexico
Judges’ Remarks: This team explored sustainable alternatives to carbon fiber, including cotton-based and mushroom-based composites, and even recycled filament from plastic bottles, demonstrating strong initiative in reducing environmental impact through material innovation.
Runner-Up: Illini EV Concept, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States
Technical Innovation Award sponsored by Southwest Research Institute
The Technical Innovation Award is granted to the team showcasing exceptional technical creativity and effective utilisation of novel materials, components, methodologies, and inventions in specific aspects of their vehicle, such as the drive train, chassis, body, instrumentation, or tires.
Winner: MTU Supermileage Systems, Michigan Tech, United States
Judges’ Remarks: After reviewing paper submissions and interviewing the teams; the winning team created an innovative starter design which replaced a heavier and less reliable design. The two-stage clutch reduced weight by several pounds and significantly reduced the form factor. The design innovatively utilized an RC motor to drive a custom set of gears to produce an effective motor starter.
Runner-Up: Behrend Automotive Club, Penn State Behren, United States
Safety Leadership Award
The safety award underscores safety's significance within Shell Eco-marathon, prompting all participating teams to actively integrate safe practices into their daily operations.
Winner: Greater Racing, Greater Lafayette Career Academy, United States
Judges’ Remarks: This particular team have displayed consistently strong safety behaviours during the event as witnessed by the Safety Team. Safety leadership behaviours are clear, interaction with the safety team has been particularly strong with many team members able to show their awareness and contribution to team safety.
Runner-Up: Runnin' on Fumes, Kankakee Valley High School, United States
Vehicle Design Award sponsored by Qatar Auto Museum
The Vehicle Design award recognises teams that excel in developing vehicles that are not only technically sound but also visually appealing and user-friendly.
Winner – Prototype: Karcharias, Cedarville University, United States
Judges’ Remarks: This team delivered an exceptionally engaging and thoughtfully engineered vehicle, combining striking aesthetics with cutting-edge aerodynamic design. Their use of CFD simulations, wind tunnel testing, and ergonomic innovation—alongside a handcrafted, shark-inspired body—captured the attention and admiration of judges and spectators alike.
Winner – Urban Concept: Experimental Vehicle Team 1, Saint Thomas Academy, United States
Judges’ Remarks: What impressed the judges most was the extraordinary amount of pre-track work behind the scenes—particularly the creation of a full-scale 3D-printed mold for a lightweight carbon fiber body. This team demonstrated dedication to craft, innovation in materials, and a strong grasp of the design process from concept to completion
Spirit of Shell Eco-marathon Award
This award celebrates teams that embody the core values of Shell Eco-marathon by showing exceptional teamwork, perseverance, and camaraderie.
Winner: Dunwoody Doughboys, Dunwoody College of Technology, United States
Judges’ Remarks: This year’s Award goes to a team that went above and beyond to help others. They shared equipment, offered technical support, and gave encouragement to teams facing tough challenges—all without expecting anything in return.
From helping teams pass inspection to solving motor controller issues, their generosity and kindness made a real impact. As one team said, “We wouldn’t have made it to the track without them.”
They truly represent the spirit of collaboration and sportsmanship that defines Shell Eco-marathon.
Available Downloads
Shell Eco-marathon 2025 Programme
The 2025 season promises to be an exciting one: welcoming participants, guests, partners, and supporters to new locations, and bringing fresh perspectives and experiences as teams take on new challenges, while pushing the boundaries of innovation.
A cleaner energy future requires brilliant Changemakers
Shell Eco-marathon aims to empower the next generation of energy leaders. The competition embodies the spirit of these Changemakers – their perseverance, collaboration, and innovation – and ties it to Shell’s purpose of helping achieve a cleaner energy future for all.
