05.05.2010 – 10:04

Shell Eco-marathon

Electrifying Times at the Shell Eco-marathon Europe With Debut of E-mobility Demonstration run

Lausitz, Germany, May 5, 2010 (ots/PRNewswire)

- 06-07 May Event at EuroSpeedway Lausitz, Germany Will See Introduction
    of E-mobility Demonstration run; First Step to Possible Introduction of
    new E-mobility Category at Future Editions
    - 17 Teams Scheduled to Participate
    - In Total, 213 Teams From 22 European Nations and Beyond are Under
    Starters' Orders at EuroSpeedway Lausitz
    - Shell Eco-marathon Europe 2010 Receives European Commission
    Endorsement

There's a real electric feeling in the air at this year's Shell
Eco- marathon Europe as the 2010 edition of the competition sees the
introduction  of a demonstration run for an all-new E-mobility
project.

Shell has introduced an E-mobility demonstration run to the 2010
edition of the Shell Eco-marathon Europe in order to test the
possibility of including all-electric vehicles as a separate
fuel-type category in future editions of the Shell Eco-marathon. This
new initiative underlines Shell's interest in electricity as a
potential fuel. Of course this isn't the first time that electric
cars have been involved in the Shell Eco-marathon Europe: the
vehicles taking in this race have been modified from a pool of
hydrogen- and solar-powered vehicles competing this year. Hydrogen-
and solar-powered vehicles have been competing in the Shell
Eco-marathon Europe since 2003.

Matthias Bichsel, Member of the Executive Committee of Royal
Dutch Shell plc and Projects &Technology Director, explains the
thinking behind the introduction of this demonstration run:

"The potential for alternative fuels is just beginning to be
realised by the Shell Eco-marathon teams. We are keen to promote this
trend and are exploring the possibility of introducing a new
"electric mobility" category in the coming years. Part of this work
will be a demonstration of competing team's electrical vehicles at
the 2010 event."

All of the 213 teams competing in this year's competition have
been invited to take part in the E-mobility demonstration run, of
which 17 have taken up the challenge. The race is open to teams
running either Prototype or UrbanConcept vehicles, which will be
fitted with a battery for this race only. The E-mobility
demonstration run will take place on 06 May on the race track of
EuroSpeedway Lausitz.

All vehicles will be equipped with a Joulemeter to measure the
electrical consumption. In line with the overarching ambitions of the
event, teams compete 3 runs with the lowest energy consumption
possible. As the E-mobility run is for demonstration purposes only,
there will be no formal prizes for top-performing teams.

Shell Eco-marathon gets support European Commission

The Shell Eco-marathon Europe has been endorsed by the European
Commission's Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign as an Official
Partner. The Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign is a European
Commission initiative in the framework of the Intelligent Energy
Europe programme. It aims to raise public awareness and promote
sustainable energy production and use among individuals and
organisations, private companies and public authorities, professional
and energy agencies, industry associations and NGOs across Europe.

The clock is ticking...

The 213 student teams from 22 nations that will be participating
in the great energy challenge are busy finalising their projects and
putting the finishing touches to their vehicles, which need to be
ready to hit the racetrack on Thursday 06 May.

Further information on the Shell Eco-marathon can be found at:
shell.com/ecomarathon/Europe and on the Shell Eco-marathon Europe
Facebook page. The Shell Eco-marathon Europe has been growing its
presence across social media to encourage conversations among
participating students and anyone interested in the project.

About Shell Eco-marathon

The Shell Eco-marathon challenges high school and college student
teams from around the world to design, build and test energy
efficient vehicles. The winner is the team that goes the furthest
distance using the least amount of energy. This event also affords an
outstanding engagement opportunity for current and future leaders who
are passionate about finding sustainable solutions to the world's
energy challenge.

The Shell Eco-marathon is a global initiative and the events
across the world will take place on the following dates:

- Shell Eco-marathon Americas: from 26-28 March in Houston, Texas
    - Shell Eco-marathon Europe: from 06-07 May in Lausitz, Germany
    - Shell Eco-marathon Asia: from 08-10 July in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia

Enquiries:

Petr Sindler Phone: +420-737-27-27-40

Rainer Winzenried Phone: +31-70-377-2282

Contact:

CONTACT: General TV footage and live camera will be available on 06,
07and 08 May via Associated Press (AP) AP Television Corporate
Services aredistributing a series of two Video News Releases on May
6th&7th 2010 andoffering a live camera available at the track for the
interviews withnational teams. To book a live slot, or for further
information about thefeeds, please contact: Richard Warsap on
+44-207-482-7452 orrwarsap@ap.org. Enquiries: Petr Sindler, Phone:
+420-737-27-27-40, Email:petr.sindler@shell.com; Rainer Winzenried,
Phone: +31-70-377-2282, Email:rainer.winzenried@shell.com; Richard
Warsap on +44-207-482-7452 orrwarsap@ap.org