Fuelathon competitions provide engineering and technology students with a challenging design project that involves the development and construction of either a single-person, fuel-efficient vehicle or a larger four wheeled urban concept car. Students build gas-powered fuel efficiency vehicles, and have the opportunity to set a world fuel economy record and increase public awareness of fuel economy and sustainability. Students become more sensitive to the environmental issues as well as develop important project management skills.

Vehicles are powered by a small four-cycle lawnmower engine, and must complete 6 laps of a 2.4km track (with hills) with a minimum speed of 24km/hr. Fuel efficiency is calculated by measuring the vehicle’s net fuel consumption over the total distance traveled.

SAE Supermileage Competition

The traditional ‘Supermileage’ is an annual SAE student engineering competition. The event takes place every year in Marshall, Michigan, at the Eaton Proving Grounds. Students compete against teams from across Canada, USA, Latin America and even India.

The next SAE Supermileage competition will be held from June 10-11th, 2010. The official competition rules can be found on the SAE website here.

Shell Eco-marathon Americas

The Shell Eco-marathon competition made its debut once again in the United States on April 12-15th, 2007 at the California Speedway in Fontana, California.   In 2010, the competition was moved to Houston, Texas; the track circling Discovery Green Park in downtown Houston.  Student teams are needed to compete in this environmental and engineering challenge. For more information, please visit the Shell website.