1999 Ethanol Vehicle Challenge entry from
the
University of Nebraska
1999 Ethanol Vehicle Challenge entry from
the |
More than 200 students from 14
automotive engineering colleges and universities participated in the 1999
Ethanol Vehicle Challenge, a program designed to advance automotive
technology utilizing fuel ethanol. This year's Challenge was to
optimize a stock Chevrolet Silverado 4x4 pickup truck to run on E85, a
blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent unleaded
gasoline. |
General Motors
Proving Ground in Milford, Michigan served as the site of the competition
events, in which the teams were judged on fuel economy, exhaust emissions, cold
start performance, engine performance, acceleration and driveability. The
teams then embarked upon a 600-mile road rally through Michigan, Indiana and
Illinois, with the final destination of Springfield, Illinois where teams were
presented with the competition awards.
The vehicles of all of the top
five teams met low emission vehicle standards. Many of the entrants
produced ethanol powered vehicles that surpassed the on-road performance of
standard gasoline version. More than $21,000 was awarded in cash prizes to
the following top finishing schools:
1st
Place
University of Illinois - Chicago
2nd
Place
University of Texas - El Paso
University of
Texas - El Paso
3rd Place
Kettering University -
Michigan
4th Place
University of Waterloo -
Ontario
5th Place
Wayne State University -
Michigan
Lowest Emissions
Wayne State University -
Michigan
Best Ethanol Conversion
University of
Nebraska - Lincoln
Best Engine-Out
Emissions
University of Waterloo - Ontario
Best
Flame Arrestor Design
University of Illinois -
Chicago
Best Fuel Economy
University of Illinois -
Chicago
Best Cold-Start Performance
University of
Texas - El Paso
Best Oral Presentation
University
of Waterloo - Ontario
Best Hill Climb
Performance
Minnesota State University
Best
Off-Road Handling
Kettering University
Best
Acceleration
Cedarville College - Ohio
Most
Innovative Component
University of Nebraska -
Lincoln
Best Appearing Vehicle
Minnesota State
University
Simon Vega Award
University of
Idaho
Spirit of the Challenge
University of
Kansas
Professor Charles Allport, Cedarville College, and Dr. Ryan Wicker,
University of Texas at El Paso, received the Outstanding Faculty Award, courtesy
of the Governors' Ethanol Coalition. Each faculty advisory received
$10,000 in honor of their outstanding leadership and direction in the
organization and management of their student team.
This is the second year
the schools have participated in the Ethanol Vehicle Challenge, sponsored by the
U.S. Department of Energy, General Motors, Natural Resources Canada, the GEC,
the ethanol industry, corn growers and many others. Last year's challenge
involved the Chevrolet Malibu, and students successfully reduced tailpipe
emissions, improved fuel economy and enhanced the performance by optimizing the
engine to operate on E85.
During the Challenge
opening ceremony, Tom Stevens, General Motor' Vice President and Group Director, Engineering, Truck Group,
announced that GM will release flexible fuel E85 Chevrolet S10 and GMC Sonoma pickups during the
2000 model year.
