The Shell Eco-Marathon challenges designers to push the boundaries of how much a vehicle can do on as little power as possible. There are various racing classes, all using various sources of power including electric, gasoline, diesel and propane. Shell, the gasoline company, sponsors and puts on a race series every year in Asia, Europe and the United States. The winner this year, from France, was an Eco-Marathon stalwart, Microjoule-La Joliverie, a French team. Microjoule’s team hit 8,002 miles per gallon in their gas-powered prototype. A highly fuel-efficient car at the local dealership will get 40 miles per gallon or more, but that is barely scratching the surface of what is possible.
Shell Eco-Marathon won by 8,000 mpg car.