EcoCAR: the NeXt Challenge Results

While each of the 17 EcoCAR designs is unique, the common attributes include:

• Lithium Ion Battery Technology:  All of the EcoCAR designs use state-of-the-art lithium ion battery technology, so the vehicles are able to store more electric energy in smaller, lighter packages.
• Plug-In Capability:  All of the EcoCAR vehicles have plug-in capability, which can significantly reduce on-road petroleum consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.•    Renewable Fuels:  All of the EcoCAR vehicles that require liquid fuels use types that blend in a renewable energy source, biodiesel or ethanol. This further displaces petroleum which significantly reduces the amount of greenhouse gases emitted from the vehicle’s tailpipes.
• Powertrain Diversity: Many EcoCAR teams like The University of Victoria, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Howard University have innovative powertrains that let one vehicle operate in engine-only, hybrid-electric, and electric only modes to optimize efficiency and performance.

Sponsors of the event: The U.S. Department of Energy; General Motors; The Government of Canada; The California Air Resources Board; A123 Systems, Inc; dSPACE; National Instruments; The Mathworks; Freescale Semiconductor; AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc; and The Environmental Protection Agency.

Sponsors of the 2009 event: The Ontario Government; Ontario Centres of Excellence; Ontario Power Authority; and the City of Toronto.

Participating Schools: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Georgia Tech; Howard University; Michigan Technological University; Mississippi State University; Missouri University of Science and Technology; North Carolina State University; The Ohio State University; Ontario Institute of Technology; Pennsylvania State University; Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Texas Tech University; University of Victoria; University of Waterloo; University of Wisconsin; Virginia Tech and West Virginia University.
www.ecocarchallenge.org