Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students participating in EcoCAR: The Next Challenge found a perfect destination for testing of their bio-diesel hybrid vehicle – historic Daytona International Speedway.
On Wednesday morning, the bio-diesel hybrid vehicle reached speeds as high as 65 mph while touring the 2.5-mile tri-oval on the apron. The students were able to use the flat and smooth surface of Daytona International Speedway to gather data on the performance of the car.
Following the test, the students posed with the car at the legendary start/finish line.
EcoCAR: The Next Challenge is a three-year collegiate automotive engineering competition involving 16 different colleges across North America with the goal of creating a more efficient vehicle and reducing the environmental impact while maintaining acceptable levels of safety, performance, and consumer acceptability. The project was established by the U.S. Department of Energy and General Motors and is managed by Argonne National Labs.
The first year of the program involved model-based design and simulation. In year 2, the students constructed the prototype and moved into vehicle testing in the final year.
Embry-Riddle’s bio-diesel vehicle is an extended range electrical vehicle that can operate on electricity for approximately 25 minutes and converts used vegetable oil from the school’s cafeteria into bio-diesel.
For more information on Embry-Riddle’s EcoCAR: The Next Challenge, visit http://www.ecoeagles.org
For tickets to Daytona International Speedway events visit, http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by call 1-800-PITSHOP. Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter.
