Students travel to Detroit to showcase custom-built fuel efficient vehicles
East Los Angeles College (ELAC) auto tech students took on the challenge to innovate, design, build and test fuel efficient vehicles for the Shell Eco-marathon competition. Nearly 130 teams from high schools and top universities from North America traveled to Detroit, MI to showcase their custom-built cars designed to be extra-energy-efficient.
This competition sparks the debate about the future of mobility and technology, and inspires students to push the boundaries of fuel efficiency through innovation and teamwork. The goal is not break speed records or be the first to finish; it is to consume as little fuel as possible over a set distance.
“The team did their best and passed the rigorous tech inspection in time. Students learned some very valuable lessons that only life experience can teach,” said Adrian Banuelos, ELAC’s Auto Tech Department Chair.
Competition expenses were manageable thanks to a $10,000 donation from the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association (GLANDCA), which was used for travel and some materials.
