Your Questions Answered: Shell Eco-marathon FAQs

2026 Season

What is new for the 2026 season?

The 2026 season introduces a new chapter with a more comprehensive competition experience, building on regional events and leading to a refreshed Global Championship format.
The Global Championship, happening in 2027, introduces new challenges that go beyond the track, incorporating skills like data science, creative thinking, and real-world problem-solving.
The Autonomous Driving Competition (previously called Autonomous Urban Concept Competition) is now open to both Urban Concept and Prototype teams.
All competitions in the 2026 season now serve as qualifiers for the Global Championship.

What is a Mileage Challenge?

Mileage Challenges are the core on-track Shell Eco-marathon competitions where teams aim to achieve the highest energy efficiency over a set number of laps. Mileage Challenges also include Off-Track Awards for innovation, design, safety, perseverance and more.

What are the key changes to the format/rules of the Mileage Challenge?

Institutions will be able to enter multiple vehicles provided they are in different vehicle categories or energy classes.
Registration is simplified into two phases: a technical phase and a logistics phase.
For full competition details and rule updates, please refer to the official 2026 Shell Eco-marathon Rules, Chapter I.

Will there still be a Regional Championship?

No. The Regional Championship, exclusive to only Urban Concept teams, is discontinued. There will be a new qualification process for the Global Championship, now open to all teams – Urban Concept and Prototype, which will be shared in due course.

Are there any guidelines for packing our vehicle’s crate?

Your crate is an important item for your team to consider. It should be sturdy enough to withstand shipping and multiple movements. Please read through specific guidelines here.

Global Championship

What is the new Global Championship?

The Global Championship is a new flagship competition launching in 2027, where top teams from around the world compete in multidisciplinary challenges that go beyond energy efficiency on the track.
More information will be available soon.

Who can take part? What are the eligibility criteria?

Teams must participate in a Shell Eco-marathon competition in 2026 to be eligible. Final selection criteria for the Global Championship will be announced in due course.

How do we qualify for the new Global Championship? What does the selection process look like?

Details on the qualification and selection process are TBC (to be confirmed). Teams are advised to monitor official channels for updates.

If my school has multiple teams, can we all qualify for the Global Championship multiple times?

No. A school may only qualify once, even if multiple teams from that school participate. Details for the qualification process will be shared in due course.

What’s in it for teams competing in the Global Championship?

Participants get the chance to represent their team on a world stage, connect with top talents across different countries and regions and push new boundaries to win the ultimate title. The official prize will be announced soon.

Do all teams that compete in a Mileage Challenge and qualify need to join the Global Championship or is it optional?

Participation in the Global Championship is invitational based on the qualifying criteria. Teams will have the right to accept and decline the invitation. More information will be provided in due course.

Do you have any advice on travel arrangements for the Global Championship?

Teams will not be required to ship their vehicle, as the Global Championship will focus on STEM skills that go beyond the vehicles teams build and driving on track. Additionally, Shell will assist with the travel costs of teams participating.

Autonomous Driving Competition

What is the Autonomous Driving Competition?

Formerly the Autonomous Urban Concept Competition, this competition challenges teams to design and build vehicles with autonomous driving capabilities. For the first time, the competition is now expanded to include both Urban Concept and Prototype vehicles, providing even more opportunities for teams to take part.

Who can participate in the Autonomous Driving Competition?

The Autonomous Driving Competition is open to both Prototype and Urban Concept teams.

About Shell Eco-marathon

What is Shell Eco-marathon?

Shell Eco-marathon is one of the world’s leading student engineering competitions focused on energy optimisation. At its very base iteration, conceived 40 years ago, teams are asked to design, build and drive some of the world’s most energy-efficient vehicles. Over the decades, the programme has helped bring to life Shell’s mission of powering progress by providing more and cleaner energy solutions

The academic programme currently challenges STEM students across the globe to tackle the energy challenges of today – in areas as diverse as mobility, artificial intelligence, and the urban environment. The programme seeks to spark conversation, stimulate collaboration and drive innovation from some of the world’s most brilliant young minds, inspiring bright ideas that can help shape a lower carbon future for all.

When did it start?

The origins of the competition date back to 1939 when Bob Greenshields, Shell’s Research Director at the time, made a friendly wager with his colleagues to see who could get the best fuel economy from road cars adapted to maximise energy efficiency. Bob achieved 49 MPG, setting a record that would eventually be beaten, but a legacy that has certainly lasted the distance.

Shell Eco-marathon as we know it now was officially launched in 1985, when 25 teams gathered in France to pit their wooden vehicles against one another in a format you’d be familiar with today. While this laid the foundations for the competition we now know and love, Shell Eco-marathon has come even further during the pandemic, to encompass other carbon and energy optimisation areas outside of mobility.

What are the vehicle categories, energy classes and fuel types in Shell Eco-marathon?

Teams can choose from two vehicle categories:

Urban Concept: vehicles that have familiar road car features (always 4 wheels)
Prototype: ultra-efficient, lightweight vehicles (generally 3 wheels)

Teams must then choose between three energy classes:

Internal Combustion Engine (gasoline, diesel or ethanol)
Battery Electric
Hydrogen Fuel Cell

A maximum of two vehicles per institution may be considered for any given Shell Eco-marathon event, granted they are of (i) different vehicle classes or (ii) different energy categories.

Teams can also showcase Hydrogen ICE vehicles at any event this season—an exciting opportunity to be one of the first teams building with this engine technology and gain expert insights. Participation is subject to technical feasibility and will not yet form part of the official competition.

Is there an autonomous category?

Formerly the Autonomous Urban Concept Competition, the Autonomous Driving Competition competition challenges teams to design and build vehicles with autonomous driving capabilities.

For the first time, the competition is now expanded to include both Urban Concept and Prototype vehicles, providing even more opportunities for teams to take part.

Registration

Who can compete?

Shell Eco-marathon is an academic educational programme. All teams wishing to enter must be affiliated with and endorsed by an educational institution. Independent research groups, private companies and other non-educational organizations are not eligible to take part in Shell Eco-marathon. By prior agreement with the Organisers, teams can be made up of participants from multiple educational institutes. To learn more about what types of educational institutions can participate, please refer to Article 2 of the Official Rules, Chapter I

Where and how do I register for Shell Eco-marathon?

Visit the registration portal and follow the sign-up/login instructions. You can find FAQs on the homepage of the portal, including how to set up an account, create a new institute, and more.

Is there a registration fee?

No. All Shell Eco-marathon competitions are and will always be free of charge!

Is there a minimum age to participate?

Yes. To take part in any Shell Eco-marathon competition, virtual or on-track, students must be at least 16 years of age on the first day of competition. In some circumstances, 14- and 15-year-olds may be permitted to take part if relevant safety and supervision plans are agreed in advance with the Organisers.

Are there any language requirements?

Yes. At a minimum, your team manager and driver(s) must be able to speak English as they will be coordinating with the Organisers and receiving instructions during the competition.

Can I still compete if I have recently graduated?

Yes. Students that have been affiliated with their team’s educational institute within 12 months prior to the date of the event can still participate in the competition.

How many people can make up a team?

Please refer to Chapter II of each competition’s specific rules—once available—for the final confirmation on team size, venue capacity, and other participation requirements.

Can I register more than one vehicle?

Institutions will be able to enter multiple vehicles provided they are in different vehicle categories or energy classes.

What are the different stages I have to go through to register my team for a Shell Eco-marathon competition?

Registration is simplified into two phases: a technical phase and a logistics phase:

Technical Phase: Teams must register their interest in joining the competition, specifying the vehicle category, energy class, and providing a high-level description/design of the vehicle. Teams must then demonstrate progress on the design and build of their vehicle, submitting documentation and photos. Approval in this phase confirms official selection to join the competition.
Logistics Phase: Teams complete logistics and final preparations for the event.

^*_{Please note that the above does not apply to the Autonomous Programming Competition}

_{To know which events you can compete in, visit this page.}

New Teams

What do I need to form a new team? What are the minimum requirements?

First, you need to present your project to your institution’s administration and obtain their endorsement for your participation in Shell Eco-marathon.

Second, gather a group of colleagues and a faculty advisor to plan and execute the actual project, adhering to the technical and safety requirements described in our Official Rules, Chapter I. You will need to define your vehicle class and energy category, and then design, build and test your car.

I am building a Shell Eco-marathon vehicle for the first time. Are there any resources I can use as reference?

You may find the resources below helpful to understand what Shell Eco-marathon is all about:

Read the Official Rules, Chapter I, the official governing rules of the competition globally.
Take a look at this open-source project developed by one of our most experienced teams in France; it is still a work in progress but already a great resource for new teams looking to build their very first Shell Eco-marathon Prototype vehicle. It includes a shopping list, most popular and economical materials, how to structure your team, how to keep an efficient schedule, and all sorts of tips and tricks to get your own project started.

Are there any rules regarding team names?

Yes. As stated in Article 2(o) of Chapter I Rules, teams are required to select a creative and engaging name, showcasing innovation and creativity. Names should be original and in the spirit of your research, school, and Shell Eco-marathon. Names that are a repetition of the educational institute’s name, that include an existing company name, or are offensive or disrespectful to others who may be participating will not be allowed.

In addition to these requirements, some tips for choosing a good team name are:

Do not include anything that is too specific, such as the registration year, your vehicle or energy type, as these may change over time and your team name will be quickly dated;
Think long-term and try to come up with short, easy to pronounce names that can remain the same and will be memorable throughout the years.

What events can I attend as a new team?

To know which events you can compete in, visit this page.

How can I connect with other teams?

You can follow us and the hashtag #ShellEcoMarathon on Instagram

and Tiktok to see what the other teams are up to and find their accounts.

At Shell Eco-marathon, we are all about collaboration and we are proud to have a great community of participants and alumni that are always happy to share their experience with newcomers!

We are also aware of a desire from teams to have a more community owned channel of collaboration, and in the process of making this happen.

How do I connect with the Organisers?

The Shell Eco-marathon team is available to answer your questions all year-round via e-mail at shellecomarathon@shell.com

or through this form on our website.

No, each team is responsible for funding their own project, as well as any costs associated with their participation in Shell Eco-marathon, such as travel, accommodations, food etc.

Technical Rules

Do we need to build a new vehicle every year?

It’s your choice, but it’s not a requirement. You are allowed to re-use the same vehicle and improve it year on year based on your learned experience. This may help control your team budget, enhance the reliability and ultimately the results of your vehicle on track.

Where do teams struggle the most in tech inspection?

The technical inspection is the last and most rigorous test before a team is allowed on the track! Most teams focus on the energy part of the vehicle, but first and foremost you should ensure to build a reliable vehicle. The body, chassis, steering system, and wheel axle play a significant part in your energy efficiency results.

What driver clothing is accepted by the competition?

For a detailed list of acceptable driver clothing, please refer to Appendix 2 in the Chapter I Rules.