The Eco-Marathon Team achieved a maximum mileage of 432.2 miles per gallon, breaking a school record. Credit: Photo provided by Penn State Shell Eco-Marathon Team.
Penn State places fourth, breaks school record in Shell Eco-Marathon competition
May 4, 2026
By Tucker Leighty-Phillips
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Shell Eco-Marathon Team finished in fourth place at the 2026 Shell Eco-Marathon United States Challenge, which took place April 7-11 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis.
Teams participated in the mileage challenge, where each vehicle sought to achieve the highest energy efficiency over a set number of laps. The Penn State team achieved 432.3 miles per gallon, breaking the previous school record.
The Penn State Shell Eco-Marathon Team is a club that works with Learning Factory capstone teams to create the most fuel-efficient car possible, which is entered annually into the Shell Eco-Marathon competition.
Competitors can enter two vehicle tracks: prototype, where the teams build a car that is as streamlined and aerodynamic as possible; and urban concept, where teams must build a vehicle that considers human needs, such as comfort, luggage space and other expectations for a standard passenger vehicle. Teams can also choose from energy types such as internal combustion engines, which can use gasoline or diesel, as well as electric or hydrogen fuel cells. Teams compete based on their vehicle and fuel type. Penn State competed in the urban concept division, with an internal combustion engine.
“We actually broke last year’s record in our first trial run,” said Sydney Traub, second-year undergraduate student in mechanical engineering and outreach chair for the team. “We went on to surpass the record again with an even higher score by the end of the week. It’s a huge accomplishment.”
Each team is also required to pass a technical inspection that reviews a wide array of aspects of the vehicle’s design, engine components and safety features. Penn State was the first team in their format to pass the technical inspection.
“Our team is unbelievably talented,” said Lauren Potts, second-year undergraduate student in civil engineering and team president. “We spent over 50 hours at the competition preparing, troubleshooting and pushing the car to its limit. Seeing all the time spent preparing, the late hours on campus, turn into a record-setting performance is something I’ll never forget.”
Traub said the team provides excellent opportunities for students to receive hands-on experience, build an impressive resume for internship and professional opportunities and work directly with knowledgeable seniors as they complete their capstone projects.
“It’s a smaller club, which means there are more opportunities to get directly involved,” Traub said. “You get to know one another well, and you’re building something sustainable for the future.”
Students interested in joining the Shell Eco-Marathon team can visit the team’s website.
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