What is EcoCAR?
EcoCAR is the latest in a series of university hybrid vehicle competitions sponsored by the US Department of Energy, General Motors Corporations, and several other organizations and companies from the US and Canada. For information on the current competition, see the official EcoCAR website at http://www.ecocarchallenge.org/.Seventeen American and Canadian universities just completed the first year of the three year competition to convert a gasoline-based GM donated crossover SUV into a hybrid vehicle maximizing fuel economy and emissions ratings while maintaining stock performance, safety, and consumer appeal. The schools are currently starting the second year of the competition, following Ohio State's first place win at the end of year one!
- mechanical engineering
- electrical engineering
- computer science engineering
- control and systems engineering
- electronics
- engine and aftertreatment techniques
- management, marketing, finance, and public relations.
- Incorporate technologies that reduce petroleum energy consumption on the basis of a total fuel cycle
well-to-wheel (WTW) analysis; - Increase vehicle energy efficiency;
- Reduce criteria and WTW greenhouse gas (GHG) and criteria emissions; and
- Maintain consumer acceptability in the areas of performance, utility and safety.
All these are needed to create the best vehicle possible. The Ohio State team, operating under the auspices of the Center for Automotive Research, is extremely well-funded and comprises of a wide variety of students with many different backgrounds and goals.
This website will log our progress in this competition, for both our own use as well as to encourage Ohio State students of all kinds to contribute and learn from this incredible opportunity.
To follow blogs and updates from all members of the competition check out http://www.green-garage.org/
