Fatin Amanina Awang Haji Abd Azis slides into the snug driver’s seat of the prototype electric vehicle, with just enough room to steer. You won’t find cup-holders, air-conditioning or a sound system in this innovative car. The bullet-shaped vehicle built for one isn’t designed for speed nor comfort, but rather the name of the game is efficiency.
While not as intense as a Formula 1 race, the atmosphere for the Shell Eco-Marathon Asia Pacific & Middle East 2024 was still full of excitement and nerves. Held at Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Lombok, Indonesia, each of the electric vehicles speeding through the circuit carried their respective national pride as well as gave a glimpse into the youth’s vision for a sustainable future.
Fatin Amanina might be in the driver’s seat. But the brief lap on the track was a result of months of meticulous design and tireless hard work by a team of students from the Faculty of Integrated Technologies (FIT), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD): Mohammad Hifdzur Azmi Haji Mohd Zain, Ahmad Muzakker Haji Khalid, Muhamad Ahmad Hasyer Sulong, Muhammad Aqil Nuruddin Janeil, Iman Abdul Walid, Amal Nabillah Awang Haji Abd Aziz, Raihani Mohammad Rafie.
All that preparation came down to this event, bringing together 82 teams from across Asia and the Middle East through a series of 11 rigorous technical inspections before their creations actually go on track for the competition. “Whether it’s a lightweight carbon fiber chassis, microcontroller unit or a revolutionary new propulsion system, every element of these vehicles reflects the creativity and dedication of the teams,” Iman Walid said. Sleek, futuristic vehicles safely encased their ingenuity and engineering innovation but each participating team also felt the mounting pressure to perform well and to validate every single decision made along the way, including their design choices.
“Pressure often sparks innovation and creativity,” Ahmad Hasyer Sulong from the Mechanical Team added. “Unforeseen technical issues can add a layer of stress. On-the-spot repairs and adjustments become part of the game, testing the teams’ adaptability and problem-solving skills under pressure.”
Muzakker Khalid, Assistant Team Manager also added that “Balancing nerves with focus was a challenge but Belia Tabah did well in maintaining composure while making critical decisions.”
It may be a competition, but teams are still supportive of one another, celebrating each others’ successes and encouraging even their rivals. Eyes are on the prize but the focus isn’t solely on winning. It’s to push the boundaries of what’s possible while creating a network of like-minded individuals who are deeply passionate about sustainability.
The competition showed Belia Tabah that electric vehicles can be practical as well as innovative and exciting. From streamlined and aerodynamic vehicles focused on pure efficiency to those exploring alternative propulsion methods, the designs are as diverse as the countries the teams hailed from and clearly showcased their collective effort. “The collaborative and supportive atmosphere between the student teams from various countries underscores the growing global movement towards sustainability especially in energy and transportation,” the Mechanical Team’s Raihani Rafie said. “It highlights how the future of electric vehicles is not just about individual vehicles but about a collective effort to create a cleaner transportation landscape.”
The Shell Eco-Marathon is a unique competition that challenges students to design, build and drive the most energy-efficient prototype vehicle. Student-led teams take their innovations to the track to see who goes furthest on the least amount of energy or fuel which supports supreme energy efficiency. This year’s UBD team “Belia Tabah” and their prototype electric vehicle “Mekar” exceeded their own expectations by breaking the national record. The vehicle achieved an extraordinary energy efficiency of 285.5km/KWh, surpassing the previous best-ever record by a Bruneian team by over 35km/KWh.
Off the track, the team was even awarded the top prize in the Carbon Footprint Reduction competition. Innovative efforts in sustainable engineering resulted in a total reduction of 2,013kg carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions. In addition to showcasing their commitment to environmental stewardship, this achievement is a testament to the team’s expertise developed through the General Engineering programme at FIT, UBD, and aligns with the university’s dedication to promoting sustainability. Despite being open to participation from other faculties and backgrounds to encourage multidisciplinary experiential learning as part of the Discovery Year (DY) Incubation programme, this year’s Shell Eco-Marathon eight-member team are all graduate students from FIT, with four currently undergoing Masters and one PhD.
“Surpassing the previous record is a triumph not just for the team, but for the nation,” Team Manager Hifdzur Azmi commented. “It signifies Brunei Darussalam’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, showcasing its potential to compete at the forefront of international energy competition. This accomplishment put the team on the national stage, earning UBD, sponsors and the team recognition and respect within the engineering and sustainability communities. It is a testament to our resilience and dedication in inspiring the youths out there.”
The achievement sends a powerful message, especially to Bruneian youth and aspiring engineers, of what can be achieved through hard work, collaboration, resilience and a passion for energy solutions. “It is a significant milestone, but the team sees it as a stepping stone for further innovation and optimisation towards better efficiency,” Fatin Amanina added.
Brunei Darussalam is very supportive of sustainability efforts and has opened up various opportunities for its youth to make significant and impactful contributions. Prior to joining the Shell Eco-Marathon, Amal Nabillah Aziz was a representative for Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) in Thailand and Fatin Amanina was a solutionist representative for Youth Ecosperity Dialogue in Singapore. These programmes serve as a platform for young leaders from various countries to share best practices and brainstorm solutions working on policy recommendations to encourage sustainability which could be applied and adopted according to the Bruneian context.
Belia Tabah believes that there is a need for more platforms specifically for young people to engage in discussions and share ideas about sustainability. Online forums, youth-led conferences, or dedicated social media channels can offer fresh perspectives and innovative ideas can enrich the conversation and lead to more effective solutions. Funding and resources specifically channeled for youth-led sustainability initiatives could support projects to develop educational campaigns, organise community workshops, or launch awareness campaigns that promote sustainable transportation options. Encouraging knowledge exchange between generations by inviting experienced professionals in the energy and transportation sectors to share their knowledge with young people can also bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical implementation. Then, Brunei Darussalam can create an environment where young people feel empowered to contribute meaningfully to a sustainable future for energy and transportation.
“There are positive signs that the younger generation in Brunei is increasingly supportive of sustainability, particularly regarding electricity and transportation,” Amal Nabillah from the Media and Communications Team said. “I really think that the younger generations are comfortable with technology and open to exploring new solutions like electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy sources.”
A truly electric and sustainable transportation future is not without its challenges. Be it from an economic or technological standpoint, the way forward would be to make such options viable and affordable to a wide range of users. Aqil Nuruddin Janeil, from the Mechanical Team concluded that “overcoming these challenges will require a multi-pronged approach. This needs a collaboration between the government, private sector, and consumers. Investing in infrastructure development, promoting awareness, making electric vehicles more affordable, and ensuring a skilled workforce are all crucial steps towards a successful transition to electric transportation in Brunei.”