Hybrid Team Second in the Nation

The Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team of Virginia Tech (above) recently took second place in the international EcoCAR Challenge, a three-year design competition that seeks to inspire science and engineering students to build more energy-efficient “green” automobiles.

The Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team placed second behind Mississippi State University, with The Pennsylvania State University coming in third during phase two of the competition, according to Lynn Gantt of Yorktown team leader and a master’s student in mechanical engineering. Sixteen teams from across North America shipped their vehicle to General Motors’ (GM) Desert Proving Ground in Yuma, Ariz., and then to San Diego for the two-tier vehicle testing competition.

The Virginia Tech team won: Second place overall, Best Electrical Presentation, Best Static Consumer Acceptability Presentation, Best Braking Distance, Best Lane Change, Best Use of National Instruments Tools, Best Progress Reports, Best Pre-competition Safety Tech Inspection, runner up on Lowest Petroleum Energy Use, and runner up for Lowest Tailpipe Emissions. In all, the team captured $10,000 in prize money.