![Engineering Students Sam Fletcher (19) and Tyler Griffin (18) with their Eco-car](https://cwa.ac.uk/images/news/2015/05/Engineering-Students-Sam-Fletcher-19-and-Tyler-Griffin-18-with-their-Eco-car-300x200.jpg)
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College Car in Shell Eco-marathon
[caption id="attachment_3173" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Engineering Students Sam Fletcher (19) and Tyler Griffin (18) with the Eco-car[/caption]
CWA engineering students have set sail to take part in the exciting ‘Shell Eco-marathon Europe 2015’ events in Rotterdam this week, which celebrates 30 years of innovation.
The competition serves as a European platform for students to test vehicles they have designed and built themselves, competing against teams from over 30 countries. It is a unique, global competition that challenges students to push the boundaries of energy efficiency.
The challenge is to drive as far as possible on the equivalent of 1 litre of fuel.
Team CWA spearheads a trilogy partnership with Germany and France – a partnership of engineering students which was created as a result of one of the many European exchange programmes in which CWA is involved.
The Shell Eco-marathon competition has seen tremendous growth in popularity and recognition over the last 30 years, and the CWA team have designed and developed a high quality entry, which has passed many stages of inspection before being accepted to take part in this prestigious event.
In its inaugural year in 1985, about 20 wooden vehicles took part in the challenge- most powered by lawn mower engines. Three decades later, the European competition has grown to over 3000 annual participants, supported by over 40,000 visitors. The energy categories now cover seven different types but innovative technologies and creative designs remain at the heart of the competition.
In 1985, the winner achieved 680 kilometres on 1 litre of fuel, last year, the winner achieved 3,314 kilometres.
Whilst most competitors will be technological universities with huge corporate financial backing, team CWA has managed to create a challenging entry which has been supported by the college itself and underpinned by local sponsors such as Fenland Extinguishers and A10 motors. The team seeks to attract further industry sponsorship locally in order to extend development in lightweight bodywork and components technology.
CWA team leader and engineering tutor, Chris Rabicano stated “This year’s entry is something special, not only because of the 30 years anniversary for Shell, but because we have all worked extremely hard to redesign and rebuild the original tri-country project car. We believe the new design can compete with the best engineers and engineering teaching establishments in Europe and beyond.”
When considering possible performance, he added “Whatever result we achieve it will be seen as a success for all those involved and for the college. Just being selected to take part is itself a major achievement and testament to the skills of all the engineering staff and students at CWA.”
European projects coordinator, Tom Griffiths who organised the participation, added that “The competition aims to inspire young people to become the scientists and engineers of the future. It demands innovative problem-solving, creativity and collaboration at a European wide level. Through enriching hands- on experience it equips our students with invaluable skills and knowledge to support their learning”
The Eco-Shell event takes part between the 18th and 24th May, 2015.
![Engineering Students Sam Fletcher (19) and Tyler Griffin (18) with their Eco-car](https://cwa.ac.uk/images/news/2015/05/Engineering-Students-Sam-Fletcher-19-and-Tyler-Griffin-18-with-their-Eco-car-300x200.jpg)