Team ReNew from Kumaraguru Institutions, Coimbatore, has made history as the only team from India selected to participate in the Shell Eco-Marathon Asia Pacific 2025 under the Hydrogen Fuel Cell category. Their advanced three-wheeled vehicle, Thimi 2.0, is set to compete on the global stage, showcasing innovative engineering and energy efficiency.

A press conference was held on Wednesday at Kumaraguru City Center in Race Course, chaired by Prof. Dr. M. Ezhilarasi, Principal of Kumaraguru College of Technology (KCT), along with members of Team ReNew.

Prathish, a final-year Mechanical Engineering student and one of the team’s drivers, shared that the Shell Eco-Marathon is a prestigious global competition that challenges students to design and build energy-efficient vehicles. The Asia-Pacific edition will take place at Lusail International Circuit, Doha, Qatar, from February 8 to 12, 2025. More than 150 teams from 20 countries will participate in the event, with prototype vehicles competing under three categories such as Battery Electric, Hydrogen Fuel Cell, and Internal Combustion Engine.

Team ReNew is the only Indian team competing in the Hydrogen Fuel Cell category. The team made its debut in the 39th season of the Shell Eco-Marathon last year in Lombok, Indonesia, with its vehicle Thimi. Built in just eight months by a group of eight members, the vehicle’s design was inspired by dolphins for its aerodynamic efficiency.

This year, a group of 13 engineers from KCT and one Economics student from KCLAS came together to build Thimi 2.0 in just five months. The vehicle was designed and manufactured at KCT Garage, Kumaraguru Institutions’ dedicated facility for automobile research and development. 

Nearly 80% of the vehicle’s components were made in-house, with only 20% of parts, such as hydrogen cells and a few electronic components, being sourced externally. The total project cost is Rs. 36 lakh, and it was sponsored by KCT and few other entities.

While Thimi 1.0 was reported to travel 170 km on just one liter of hydrogen, Thimi 2.0 has been engineered to achieve a range of 200 km on the same fuel while maintaining zero emissions. The vehicle has a maximum speed of 35 km/h.

At the Shell Eco-Marathon, the focus is not on speed but on mileage and sustainability. Vehicles with lower emissions, higher efficiency, and sustainable construction gain recognition in the competition.
While their design for Thimi 1.0 took inspiration from dolphins, the team drew from the Atlantic Blue Marlin for Thimi 2.0, optimizing the vehicle’s aerodynamic profile to minimize drag. They also chose it to highlight that this species is getting endangered.

For Thimi 2.0, they used upcycled PVC foam sandwiched between carbon fibers to create a lightweight yet durable structure. Despite its large appearance, the vehicle weighs only 53 kg, significantly less than traditional scooters, which typically weigh around 110 kg or more.

In addition to the vehicle, the team has developed the ReNew App, a dedicated mobile application that enables drivers and team members to monitor efficiency metrics and track performance in real time. This allows for better analysis and strategic decision-making during the competition. Thimi 2.0 has already been shipped and is en route to Qatar.