For the fourth year in a row, students from Széchenyi István University (University of Győr) have taken first place with a new world record at Europe’s most prestigious energy efficiency competition, the Shell Eco-marathon.
The university’s SZEnergy Team, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, once again outperformed Europe’s top technical institutions — including teams from Germany, Italy, France, Greece, and Turkey — at the event held between June 10–15 at Silesia Ring, Poland.
Their self-designed electric vehicle, SZEmission, achieved a stunning 327 kilometers per kilowatt-hour, shattering their previous 2024 world record of 309 km/kWh. To put that in perspective: with the energy of just one 100-watt lightbulb running for 10 hours, their car could travel over 327 kilometers — a 30% performance gain over top competitors from Çukurova University (Turkey) and University of Toulouse (France).
“We’re proud beyond words,” said team leader Balázs Für. “We faced heat-related technical issues but overcame them with teamwork, quick fixes, and a deep belief in our project.”
This year’s win was particularly special, as the team raced on an unfamiliar track. Despite the challenges, they surpassed even their own simulation expectations, thanks to innovations like a new electronic system and redesigned suspension.
The only Hungarian team at the competition, SZEnergy not only took home the top title but also strengthened Hungary’s standing in sustainable innovation and university-led R&D. The team credits their success to Széchenyi István University’s practice-oriented education model, support from the Vehicle Industry Research Center, and their long-standing network of industrial partners.
“Our car doesn’t have one single standout feature — every part is great, and together they’re even better,” said Für. “Now it’s time to celebrate — and then, we start planning how to win next year too.”
| Source: Széchenyi István University & Miklós Balázs
About the Author
