Mexico City, June 17 – The EcoVolt team from Tecnológico de Monterrey’s Mexico City campus has achieved international recognition, securing first place in the Vehicle Design category and second place in Data and Telemetry at the prestigious Shell-Eco Marathon competition held in Indianapolis, USA. The team’s innovative vehicle, which integrates engineering with biomaterials, impressed judges and showcased a commitment to sustainability.
EcoVolt’s Sustainable Innovation Takes Center Stage
The Shell Eco-Marathon is an annual global engineering competition focused on automotive energy efficiency, challenging over 150 universities across the Americas to design vehicles that can travel the greatest distance with the least energy consumption. EcoVolt’s success in the Vehicle Design category, which evaluates aesthetics, sustainability, ergonomics, reliability, and aerodynamics, highlights their groundbreaking approach.
A key innovation that set EcoVolt apart was the use of oyster mushroom mycelium for the car’s brake pedals. This choice was driven by the material’s resistance and its significantly lower carbon footprint. Furthermore, the mycelium was nourished using bamboo collected from discarded sushi chopsticks from local eateries within the campus, demonstrating a circular economy approach.
Laura García, head of the team’s sustainability area, emphasized, “What truly distinguishes this team is our innovation not only in electronics and mechanics but also in materials with a lower carbon footprint. This is something that truly sets us apart from other teams.”
Advanced Design and Engineering Excellence
Beyond sustainable materials, the EcoVolt team also introduced significant design improvements. Instead of a heavy aluminum chassis, they constructed a detachable carbon fiber monocoque. This single-piece structure serves as the car’s frame, simplifying transportation and reducing its weight by 40 to 50 percent, contributing to enhanced energy efficiency.
The team’s dedication and resilience were tested just a week before the competition when the prototype’s steering broke. However, the team quickly resolved the issue, demonstrating their problem-solving skills and determination.
Emiliano Rivera, responsible for the aerodynamics area, reflected on this challenge: “One of the standout qualities of this team is that no matter how difficult or complicated things may seem, we always push forward and grow. Perseverance pays off, and this team has demonstrated effort, discipline, and consistency.”
Triumph and Emotional Victory
Upon the announcement of the final results and awards, an outpouring of happiness and pride erupted among the team members. Paulina Ruiz, who managed the telemetry section, described the moment as “very gratifying, very emotional. We all truly cheered, got excited, and felt our emotions run high. We shouted ‘Mexico’ at the top of our lungs, in addition to all the effort involved.”
Ruiz also acknowledged the collective effort: “It wasn’t just the people who participated in the competition but also all the hard work of those in the workshop, the sleepless nights, the dedication. It was truly beautiful to convey so much emotion in such a short time.”
Reflecting on EcoVolt’s distinctiveness, Paulina concluded, “This team is very resilient and stubborn because we always look for ways to innovate. This drive that we have is something difficult to find elsewhere, and above all, the family we form here.”
The EcoVolt team’s success at the Shell Eco-Marathon serves as an inspiring example of how student-led innovation can drive progress in sustainable engineering and design, positioning Tecnológico de Monterrey as a leader in environmentally conscious technological advancements.
