Every year, Shell sponsors an eco-marathon, where designers get to try out their most energy efficient vehicles. In order to prevent this event from being truly avant-garde, in 2003 Shell introduced an “Urban Concept” category. In this category, cars must to look and act, well, normally.

According to Green Prices

Urban Concept cars must be fit for actual road use with four wheels, a steering wheel, head and tail lights, a driver’s seat, a brake pedal and working doors. 40 Teams joined the competition (up from 26 last year). The race consists of three legs of 14 laps each at 1.62 kilometres per lap, totalling 22.7 km per leg. There are three mandatory stops included and the average speed must be 25 km/h.

The Urban concept winners were the Danish Technical University (DTU Roadrunners) who went for 306 kilometres on 1 litre of fuel with an internal combustion engine.

In the ‘traditional’ category the Haagse Hogeschoool team (Netherlands) booked 557 kilometres on 1 litre of fuel with a fuel cell powered electric car.

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all the participants and Shell for such a unique and extraordinary event. Maybe one day we will actually see these designs on the road!

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