Adventure. Insanity. Challenge? What inspires two people to drive 30,000 kilometres (18, 000 miles)  around the world, through the harshest of extremes, with minimal air conditioning or heating, using less than 40 tanks of fuel? And why would we support it? The simple answer is that John and Helen Taylor, and Shell share a passion for fuel economy. And together we’ve taken economical driving to a new level and set a new World Record for the lowest round the world fuel consumption.

The Shell Fuel Economy World Record Challenge
John and Helen are officially the world’s most economical drivers. In recent years they’ve dedicated their lives to proving it, and with their latest and most impressive World Record success, they’ve notched up an impressive 35 fuel economy records. The challenge was to drive around the world, which for the purposes of this record attempt is 28,970 kilometres (18, 000 miles), in one direction, using less than 40 tanks of fuel.

How did Shell Become Involved?
We’ve always been passionate about fuel, our scientists have dedicated over 70 years to the extensive fuel research and development. It’s this passion that drives us to create new and improved fuels for better movement, such as Shell Super Unleaded containing our new Fuel Economy Formula. You see, we don’t make a static liquid, we make better movement. And it’s this thinking, and this formula that fuelled the Taylor’s car on their World Record breaking drive.

All our formulations are put through rigorous road tests for thousands of kilometres in a range of vehicles, driving environments and climatic conditions. We invest millions to ensure that our fuels perform for all our customers, whatever and wherever they drive. And so, when John and Helen Taylor approached Shell as an authority on fuel economy and asked us to back their challenge, we saw it as a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate our new formula’s capabilities – the ultimate road test.

The Winning Formula
The Taylor’s car ran exclusively on fuel containing our new Fuel Economy Formula which contains a Synthetic Viscous Friction Improver, formulated to help reduce friction right at the heart of the engine, helping minimise energy waste. In addition to our Fuel Economy Formula, the Taylors were also driving efficiently by using Taylor's Tips, these show that no matter what car you drive, where in the world you drive, everyone can conserve fuel.