Shell Eco-marathon United States 2026
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
April 7–11, 2026
Mileage Challenge
Shell Eco-marathon headed to the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the U.S. leg of the 2026 season. Teams from across North and South America took on the Mileage Challenge, showcasing their engineering skills and energy-efficient designs in one of the most historic racing venues in the world.
The results are in - scroll down to see the top-performing teams, including who made it to the Global Championship!
Global Championship Qualifiers
Emerging from the United States competition, these Global Championship qualifying teams feature standout participants whose impressive performances pushed the boundaries of energy efficiency.
Brigham Young University, United States
Supermileage ICE
Saint Thomas Academy, United States
Experimental Vehicle Team 1
Mater Dei High School, United States
Team RUDI
Alden-Conger High School, United States
Knights ICEbreaker
On-Track Winners
Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)
- 1st Place - Supermileage ICE from Brigham Young University, United States | 2144.91 mpg (US)
- 2nd Place - Team Cosmo from Mater Dei High School, United States | 2023.03 mpg (US)
- 3rd Place - MTU Supermileage Systems from Michigan Technological University, United States | 1260.64 mpg (US)
Hydrogen Fuel Cell
- 1st Place - Experimental Vehicle Team 2 from Saint Thomas Academy, United States | 260.29 mi/m3
- 2nd Place - Rocky Mountain Racing from Wheat Ridge High School, United States | 124.55 mi/m3
Battery-Electric
- 1st Place - Milhagem UFMG from Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil | 291.89 mi/kWh
- 2nd Place - ALERION SUPERMILEAGE from Université Laval, Canada | 265.14 mi/kWh
- 3rd Place - Unisabana Herons Electric Vehicle from Universidad de la Sabana, Colombia | 246.05 mi/kWh
Off-track Winners
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: Cornell Electric Vehicles - Cornell University - United States
Judges’ Remarks: This entry distinguished itself through a modular, fault-tolerant telemetry system paired with smart data-cleaning and advanced race-strategy development, enabling continuous optimisation to minimise energy use. It stood out for integrating a motorsport-trained local language model to support real-time pit decisions, combined with radical transparency through shared code and a system designed for reuse by other teams.
Runner-up: EcoVolt CCM - Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey Campus Ciudad de México – Mexico
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: Supermileage ICE - Brigham Young University - United States
Judges’ Remarks: This entry was recognised for a clear technical insight into overall vehicle performance, identifying thermodynamic combustion effectiveness during brief engine-on periods as the critical factor. By shifting from gasoline to ethanol, the team significantly improved combustion efficiency, translating directly into stronger on-track performance.
Runner-up: MTU Supermileage Systems - Michigan Technological University - 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.
Prototype Winner: EcoVolt CCM - Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey Campus Ciudad de México – Mexico
Judges’ Remarks: The judges were impressed by the ultra-low-drag body design with a clear and coherent vision, successfully integrating aesthetics, ergonomics, technical feasibility, aerodynamics, and sustainability. The entry stood out in particular for its innovative use of biomaterials, forged recycled carbon-fibre components, and carbon-fibre disc wheels.
Urban Concept Winner: Experimental Vehicle Team 1 – Saint Thomas Academy – United States
Judges’ Remarks: This entry demonstrated a clear and well-executed design vision, combining originality, strong ergonomics, technical robustness, aerodynamic validation, and a clear sustainability focus. It stood out for its use of a 3D-printed, corn-based polymer mold and a lightweight carbon-fibre body produced through a resin-infusion process, delivering an exceptionally clean natural weave finish.
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: Their proactive and collaborative approach made the event safer not only for their team but also for many of the other teams to whom they were able to provide missing equipment and PPE. All of the team were able to offer suggestions for how the overall safety of the event could be improved, including some ideas we may implement next year!
Runner-up: Sting - Cedarville University - United States
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 Daredevils - Dunwoody College of Technology - United States
Judges’ Remarks: This team consistently embodied the spirit of the event through their openness, generosity, and willingness to support others throughout the competition. By freely sharing tools, spare components, and technical expertise—from hands-on paddock support to helping with motor controller programming—they strengthened the sense of community and collaboration that defines Shell Eco-marathon.
Shell Eco-marathon 2026 Programme
The 2026 season opens a new chapter that reflects the changing face of STEM and introduces a comprehensive competition experience. This year welcomes participants to our core competitions:the Mileage Challenges, the Off-Track Awards, and the Autonomous Driving Competition in a refreshed format.
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.