FutureTruck Competition Showcases Environmental Benefits of Ethanol

University students participating in the 2001 FutureTruck competition demonstrated once again that vehicles optimized for ethanol can achieve both high performance and improved fuel economy. The University of Maryland and Cornell University opted to use E85 to fuel their Chevy Suburban sport utility vehicle. The University of Maryland was awarded 3rd place, as well as the Lowest Regulated Tailpipe Emissions Award. Maryland also achieved Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle standards. Cornell University received the Excellence in Renewable Fuels Award, sponsored in part by the Governors' Ethanol Coalition, for demonstrating improved fuel economy and reduced emissions using E85 relative to the stock gasoline model.

The competition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and General Motors, involved 15 university teams challenged to modify the Suburban to increase fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while achieving ultra-low exhaust emissions and maintaining the performance, safety and features of the stock vehicle.