January 2026 marked an important milestone for the KBTU ShallQar team and Supros — competing at the anniversary 40th international energy-efficiency marathon in Doha, Qatar. On the Lusail International Circuit, our students raced against 78 teams from 12 countries.
12th place in the Prototype Battery-Electric category is the result of a three-year project cycle. For us, this confirms that systematic industry partnership with universities delivers measurable technological outcomes.
Engineering progress and continuity
ShallQar grew from the first sketches in 2024 into a high-tech solution able to compete with leading universities across Asia and Europe:
- 2024–2025: Building the foundation, refining the concept and passing strict technical inspections.
- January 2026: Technical maturity. The team of students from automation, IT and robotics faculties achieved 140.06 km/kWh.
The teardrop-shaped electric prototype successfully passed all technical checks and a 14.56 km distance, confirming the chosen aerodynamics and controller settings.
More than a race: international networking
For Supros | Yeta, Doha became a place for deep professional exchange. ShallQar actively joined technical discussions with peers from Qatar, the UAE and Southeast Asia on:
- Battery thermal management in extreme heat.
- Software optimisation for energy consumption.
- Presenting engineering solutions in English to international judges.
Industry partnership in Idea Hub
Shell Eco-Marathon is a living example of Smart Engineering. Over three years our support included not only materials investment but active mentorship.
We help develop hard skills (drive design, mechatronics, programming) and soft skills (working in an international environment, teamwork). The team roster has refreshed, and experienced members already pass knowledge to newcomers, building a sustainable engineering school within KBTU.
12th place in the world ranking opens new horizons for sustainable mobility in Kazakhstan. We continue toward the goal of entering the world’s top 10 engineering teams.
Prepared together with ShallQar and KBTU Endowment following the Doha competitions (21–25 January 2026).