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UiTM Team in the Shell Eco Marathon Asia Competition

Written by:

Prof Madya Dr. Thomas A. Ward, Faculty Leader for UiTM Eco Planet Team

Left – UTM fuel cell powered prototype vehicle

Right – UiTM fuel cell powered urban concept vehicle

The Shell Eco Marathon Asia 2010 was held from 7-10 July at the Sepang

International Circuit. This annual event is one of the largest student automotive

design competitions in the world. It has been held in the Americas and Europe for

many years, but this is the first year it has been held in Asia (it will be held at Sepang

in 2011 and 2012 too). Therefore, this is the first year that most of the 90+ teams

from: Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, India,

Pakistan, Iran, and Vietnam, have ever participated. The challenge is simple: to

design, build and drive the most fuel-efficient vehicle. The winner is the team that

goes the furthest distance using the least amount of energy. The car can be of two

categories: prototype or (the more demanding) urban concept vehicle and can be

powered by petrol engines, Diesel engines, solar electric motors, or hydrogen (fuel

cell) powered electric motors.

Our team was named UiTM Eco Planet. It was lead by student team manager Mohd

Izmir bin Yamin and deputy team manager Mohd Hadi Anuar bin Mohd Fakharuzi

with students from the faculties of Mechanical, Electrical, and Chemical Engineering

and Applied Science. The team decided to enter into one of the most challenging

categories: hydrogen fuel cell powered urban concept vehicle. Only one other team,

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from the National University of Singapore (NUS), dared to enter a car in this difficult

category. The NUS team was one of the rare, experienced teams; having competed

in the last three European challenges and they swept this competition, winning more

awards than any other team. Our team gave a heroic effort. On the first day we

found problems with the brushless hub motor and the rear brakes. We also had to

repair a small hydrogen leak. However, with persistence these problems were

corrected and we were able to pass the rigorous technical inspection, which many

other teams could not do. However, on the last day we still had a problem that we

suspected was resulting from a voltage leak, but we could not figure out where. The

fuel cell was able to power the motor when the motor was outside the vehicle, but

when it was mounted on the axle it would not work. We found the cause of the leak

only 30 minutes before the competition ended. We raced to fix it as fast as we could,

but with time ticking away it was impossible to be thorough. With determination, we

quickly passed our last inspection (maneuverability test) and were the last car of the

competition that qualified to get on the track. We and many supporters in the stands

cheered as the starting flag was waved and our car drove down the track. Passing all

the inspections and making it to the track is a great feat, where normally half the

entries never make it.

Despite our strong determination we were unable to complete the required four

laps. This was because of the voltage leak, which we did not have time to completely

resolve. But if there was an award for determination and never giving up, we surely

would have won first place! We were able to later celebrate with our friends from

UTM who won first place in the fuel cell prototype category. UTM had previously

competed in last year’s European competition with a solar prototype car. They used

the same car, but this time borrowed our other fuel cell (the same one used in the

fuel cell airplane we built). So we celebrated UTM’s victory. This was a great

experience and our students made a heroic first effort. The knowledge we gained

gives us confidence that we will come back next year ready to win!