WHILE the departure of Formula One race cars has left the vast Shanghai International Track empty and quiet, the circuit has begun to return to life in a new way as a variety of unusual new automobiles take over.

The 6th Challenge Bibendum opens in Shanghai on October 12, and is a three-day event designed to promote sustainable road mobility based on new vehicles producing less pollution and consuming less fuel.

On October 13, a rally was staged at Shanghai International Automobile City with participating automobiles from Ford, Michelin, Volkswagen, Nissan and Toyota, Volvo and Shanghai-based Sunwin. A number of different competitions were held, categorized by the type of fuel used.

148 automobiles took part, including 92 cars, 23 buses and 35 two-wheeled vehicles. A black vehicle from Australia powered by sunshine was the dark star of the rally and the event's only participant to use solar energy, which, due to inevitable sunless days, is not its only fuel source.

Alongside traditional fuels like petroleum and diesel, the automobiles use new fuels such as hydrogen, compacted natural gas and even the vegetable oil from soybeans and sunflowers.

Audi, Volkswagen, Nissan and students from China's Tsinghua University have brought a total of 19 hydrogen-powered vehicles to the rally. Cars using this new technology emit only water vapour as exhaust.

There are also six bio-fuel power vehicles in attendance whose engines use oil from beans, flowers and vegetables to generate power. The fuel can also be added to petroleum to produce a hybrid fuel.

Most of the electric vehicles participating are from China. These automobiles are already available in the market and have gained a certain popularity in big cities like Shanghai and Hangzhou.

In addition to conventional performance, the automobiles were tested for noise, emission and fuel efficiency. Their scores in these categories will count substantially towards the final result.

"I am particularly delighted that this event is taking place in China," said Loyola de Palacio, vice president of the European Commission and Commissioner for Energy & Transport.

The attendees include large players from the automotive industry, scientists, automotive designers, experts in the field of environmental protection, as well as governmental representatives from the EU, France, Britain, the US and Japan. During the three days, some 2,000 participants, including 500 journalists from 45 countries, will review the performance of 150 vehicles.

Co-operation emphasized

On October 12 a high level conference was held which brought together key industry players, decision makers and non-governmental organizations. The meeting focused on the respective strategies of China, Europe, the US, and other countries including Japan, in the field of environmentally friendly automobiles.

This year's Challenge Bibendum should foster a valuable exchange of views between China, and participating automobile producers and energy and equipment suppliers.

"I have made every effort to give a new impetus and a new dimension to Sino-EU co-operation," said Loyola de Palacio. "I am particularly proud of our close co-operation on the Galileo project, signing a maritime agreement and intensifying co-operation in the energy field. One of my constant concerns has been to strengthen ties between Chinese and European industries."

"Challenge Bibendum, as an environmentally friendly auto event, brings in many world-renowned insiders from the auto sector. It will give China a good sense of the future direction of the auto sector that concerns environmental protection issues. The event offers a platform for automakers and energy suppliers to showcase what the auto sector can do to protect our environment," said Li Xinmin, deputy director general of Department of Pollution Control under China's State Environmental Protection Agency.

"Challenge Bibendum provides an important platform for promoting environmentally friendly vehicles within the automotive industry," said Wang Gang, president of Tongji University.

The event attracts experts from every dimension of the industry and provides them with a common platform upon which to discuss its future development.

It also increases public awareness of the importance of an environmentally friendly auto sector. Activities such as a media drive and an "open day" for the public will be held.

"Through the event, the public can acquaint themselves with the advantages of environmentally friendly vehicles, which include lower fuel consumption and less pollution, which will in return benefit their daily lives," said Wang.