Environmentally-Friendly SUVs?
Competition shows these kids are alright...
by Kimberly Chapple
Design teams comprised of engineering students from 15 universities have
re-engineered full-size sports utilities vehicles in FutureTruck 2001,
a 4-year competition aimed at developing alternative propulsion systems
and fuels that demonstrate increased energy efficiency and reduced emissions
while continuing to meet consumer expectations in vehicle performance
and comfort. As Americans shift away from purchasing passenger cars-with
more than half of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. being SUVs or light-duty
trucks-student results have been promising.
Cornell Univ. working under their ethanol-electric powered hybrid SUV
Year Two judging and awards take place June 4-13 in Washington, DC, and
at the General Motors Proving Ground in Milford, MI. The teams' goals are
to improve upon last year's results, which included the following improvements
over a stock Chevrolet Suburban:
- 13% improvement in on-road fuel efficiency, determined by the total
dis-tance--within prescribed speed limits--divided by the amount of energy
(fuel and electricity) used. The event included stop-and-go, urban and
highway driving segments.
- 25% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The GHG index represents
the amount of greenhouse gas produced during the life cycle of a fuel,
including processing, delivery and use in the vehicle. The goal is a two-thirds
reduction over the stock model.
- Comparable acceleration time The acceleration event evaluated the ability
of the vehicle to accelerate from a standing start over a quarter-mile
distance. Each vehicle was operated in its "normal mode" and
each team was allowed to make at least two runs.
Other categories include: safety/technical inspections; qualifying and
handling; regulated tail pipe emissions; and more.
One former student, remarking on the value of the program, said he once
looked forward to a good engineering career, any job he could get, barely
noticing that he had overlooked one thing: passion for his work. "I
got involved with the program . . . not realizing what a difference it would
make in my career," says Michael Ogburn, past team leader at Virginia
Tech. "Those three years of playing with cars and trucks left me so
aware of my passion to make a difference in the struggle to save the planet
that it makes my head spin to imagine doing anything else."
FutureTruck is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and General
Motors (for years 2000-2001), Ford Motor Company (for years 2002-2003),
BP Amoco, Cisco Systems, Newark Electronics, National Instruments, Delphi
Automotive Systems, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., ArvinMeritor, National
Science Foundation, Aluminum Assn., The MathWorks, Natural Resources Canada,
Ill. Dept. of Commerce, Renewable Fuels Assn. and Governors' Ethanol Coalition.
For more information, including the list of teams and various components
and systems (HEV powertrains, fuels, engines, electric motors, batteries)
specified, Circle 522 - FutureTruck or connect directly to their
website via the Online Reader Service Program at http://www.OneRS.net/106df-522
|
