In 2021, Shell Eco-marathon is adopting a hybrid model comprising definitively of virtual elements, and where possible, on-track elements. This structure will allow for maximum flexibility to adjust to prevailing safety and travel conditions due to COVID-19, while still ensuring a robust Shell Eco-marathon offering in 2021.

Teams can choose to design and build one of two different car types:

Urban Concept: vehicles that have familiar road car features (always 4 wheels)
Prototype: ultra-efficient, lightweight vehicles (generally 3 wheels)

Teams can then choose between three energy categories for their car:

Internal Combustion Engine (gasoline, diesel or ethanol)
Battery Electric
Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Any Shell Eco-marathon team is welcome to apply, new or experienced. Please note that for any on-track event, participation in the Virtual Technical Inspection is mandatory, as detailed in section 6A of the Shell Eco-marathon 2021 Global Rules, Chapter I.

For more details about eligibility for a specific event, please refer to each competition page and its specific set of rules, Chapter II, when these are available.

A maximum of 50 teams may be accepted per event, but this number might vary depending on venue capacity. For final confirmation, refer to each competition page and its specific set of rules, Chapter II, when these are available.

To ensure appropriate social distancing measures are followed, a maximum of 10 people per team, including faculty advisors and chaperones, will be allowed at any physical event we may have. Refer to each competition page and its specific set of rules, Chapter II, for final confirmation of capacity and requirements for each venue.

No, each team will only be allowed to take part in one physical event in the 2021 season, should they take place.

Phase 1: basic team and vehicle information. General registration is open until October 14, 2020, for all regions. Teams looking to take part in physical events must register for the Virtual Technical Inspection.

Phase 2: technical details about the vehicle to be presented via the Virtual Technical Inspection. Refer to section 6A of the Shell Eco-marathon 2021 Global Rules, Chapter I for more information.

Phase 3: logistics information, will be required closer to the event date for each Mini Shell Eco-marathon competition.

For the 2021 On-track Programme, priority will be given to all teams who were selected for Phase 3 in the 2020 Regional programmes (Americas, Europe and Asia). In addition, for any on-track event, participation in the Virtual Technical Inspection is mandatory. If there are more applications than physical team slots available, the Virtual Technical Inspection results will be used as part of the Team selection criteria. Refer to the Shell Eco-marathon 2021 Global Rules, Chapter I for more information. 

Yes, the Mini Shell Eco-marathon competitions are open to all teams, new and experienced. We will endeavor to accommodate as many teams as possible at the events, however, please note that priority will be given to all teams who were selected for Phase 3 in the 2020 Regional programmes (Americas, Europe and Asia) should applications exceed the number of physical places at the events.

Facilities available may vary depending on the venue. For more information, refer to each competition page and its specific set of rules, Chapter II, when these are available.

The Virtual Programme of the Shell Eco-marathon programme for 2021 consists of five component competitions, which are all part of a global Virtual League. Participating teams will be able to earn points via any of the five component competitions that they choose to take part in and will be globally ranked. The Virtual League consist of the following component competitions as defined in Article 90 and Article 91 in Section 6 of the Shell Eco-marathon 2021 Global Rules, Chapter I:

Pitch the Future
Autonomous Programming Competition
Bonus Challenges
Virtual Off-Track Awards (See Section 6B of the Chapter I Rules)
Virtual Technical Inspection (See Section 6A of the Chapter I Rules)

The specific dates and rules for each component competition yet undefined in Chapter I will be announced in due course.

Participation in each Virtual League component competition is voluntary, but participation in the Virtual Technical Inspection is a necessary pre-requisite for application to any on-track event in 2021, should they take place. 

Find out more information about the 2021 Virtual Programme

Prize money will be awarded for each of the individual Virtual League components excluding the Bonus Challenges, where you can earn extra points (see Chapter I, Section 7). There will also be prize money awarded for the Mini Shell Eco-marathon competitions. For more information on prizes and awards, refer to the Chapter II rules to be published for each of the competitions in the 2021 season.

General registration is open from September 7 to October 14, 2020 for all regions. You must register for your chance to take part in any of the virtual components, including Virtual Technical Inspection. Please note that the registration for the first of our activities, Pitch the Future, will close on September 30, 2020.

Specific registration for on-track events will open closer to the event dates next year; however, you must ensure you are already registered for Virtual Technical Inspection to be considered for on-track events.

Yes, there will be certificates available after each Virtual League and on-track activity for individual team members as well as team certificates.

As the global impacts of COVID-19 continue to evolve, the safety and health of our Shell Eco-marathon participants and organising teams remains our top priority.

In 2021 we will continue to monitor developments closely to determine the safest approach. We will evaluate events on a case-by-case basis and using the best information available and will only proceed with events when we are confident that all reasonable controls can be implemented.