Semar UGM, one of UGM’s most innovative flagship vehicles, is preparing to debut in the 2025 Shell Eco-Marathon Asia Pacific and Middle East, which will be held at Lusail Circuit, Qatar, from Feb. 8 to 12.
Shell Eco-Marathon is a prestigious competition that showcases energy-efficient vehicles that push the boundaries of innovation.
This year marks a new chapter after five consecutive years of the competition being held in Indonesia, specifically at the Mandalika Circuit in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.
Hans Tobias Sihombing, the General Manager of Semar UGM, stated that the Semar UGM team is presenting two of its best vehicles to compete with energy-efficient innovations from numerous international student teams.
These vehicles are the Semar Urban Hydroz 1.2, powered by hydrogen fuel, and the Semar Proto 4.0, which uses electricity as its primary energy source.
“We aim to bring a grand vision to promote sustainability innovation through this international competition,” Sihombing said in a statement to reporters on Wednesday (Jan. 15).
Sihombing noted that Semar UGM achieved various outstanding accomplishments in previous competitions, such as first place in the Urban Hydrogen Fuel Category, first place in the Prototype Electric Category with a record of 938 km/kWh, first place in the Off-track Data and Telemetry Category, and third place in the Regional Championship.
“Semar UGM’s achievements in previous years demonstrate the team’s dominance and competence as one of the best in the field of energy-efficient vehicles,” he explained.
Semar UGM’s path to victory was not easy. Great sacrifices had to be made, such as missing final exams, which they had to retake after the competition.
The team faced tremendous pressure during the competition due to a critical issue. The Semar Proto 4.0 failed the technical inspection until the second day, leaving no opportunity for Semar Proto to practice on the track.
However, through intense discussions, collaboration, and unwavering determination, Semar Proto 4.0 ultimately claimed 1st place in its category.
“This experience was a nerve-wracking moment that demonstrated the team’s resilience, dedication, and determination to achieve the best and emerge as champions,” he recalled.
Semar UGM is determined to continue this spirit of innovation as it brings its environmentally friendly vehicle designs closer to implementation on the road. The journey toward this achievement is not done alone.
Semar UGM is proud to receive support from various partners committed to sustainability, such as PT Petrokimia Gresik, Pos Properti Indonesia, Jericho, PLN, Toyota Astra Motor, Citra Jelajah Informatika, Wefreight, Inalum, Pebsteel, Dharma Precision Parts, and Air Liquide.
Semar UGM is also continuously open to collaborations with new partners who share the same vision: to create beneficial and sustainable innovations and creations for the world.
Author: Lazuardi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photo: Semar UGM