UW students win FutureTruck competition

A sport-utility vehicle modified by engineering students has won this year’s FutureTruck challenge, organizers announced today, June 24.

Using a bio-diesel hybrid electric advanced technology system, a team of students successfully managed to increase fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a 2002 Ford Explorer without sacrificing performance or safety.

The competition attracted 15 teams from top universities across North America. The second-place hybrid electric vehicle, from Michigan Tech University, ran on reformulated gasoline.

FutureTruck’s goal is to lower emissions and achieve a 25 percent increase in over-the-road fuel economy of SUVs while maintaining the safety, performance and comfort levels that have made them so popular. The first place team succeeded in reducing the greenhouse gas index by 50 percent and increasing over-the-road fuel economy by 45 percent. The team reengineered components and used advanced materials such as an aluminum/steel hybrid frame and a titanium exhaust system. Seven out of 10 teams achieved better overall over-the-road fuel economy compared to the base 2002 Ford Explorer and two teams managed to exceed the base Explorer’s performance, while still applying environmentally sound applications.

“This was such a challenging endeavor to undertake, but it is rewarding to participate and receive recognition,” says Glenn Bower, the UW–Madison student advisor. “We’ve worked hard, tackled obstacles and in the end we succeeded above and beyond our goals.”

FutureTruck judging began June 11 at the Ford Motor Company Proving Ground in Yucca, Ariz. and concluded June 21 at the California Motor Speedway in Fontana, Calif. Teams competed in 12 rigorous events that measured all aspects of the vehicles including: safety, performance, consumer acceptability and design evaluation. The FutureTruck awards ceremony was held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire hotel over the weekend.

The FutureTruck competition brings together government, industry and academia to explore clean, fuel-efficient automotive technologies. Ford Motor Company and the U.S. Department of Energy were sponsors for 2002. Ford will continue its commitment to FutureTruck and the 2003 competition will be part of the 100th Anniversary of Ford Motor Company taking place in Dearborn, Mich. at Ford headquarters.

“I congratulate all of the universities, team members, faculty and staff who embraced the FutureTruck challenge to explore clean, fuel-efficient automotive technologies which help reduce petroleum usage and CO2 emissions,” says Tom Gross, deputy assistant secretary of transportation technologies at the U.S. Department of Energy. “I also want to thank Ford Motor Company for its support to make this project a success.”

Competing universities in the FutureTruck 2002 competition were: California Polytechnic State University, San Louis Obispo; Cornell University; Georgia Institute of Technology; Michigan Technological University; Ohio State University; Pennsylvania State University; Texas Tech University; University of Alberta; University of California, Davis; University of Idaho; University of Maryland; University of Tennessee; University of Wisconsin–Madison; Virginia Tech; and West Virginia University.