< Back to
Academics
< Back to all News
RHIT Efficient Vehicle Vies for Maximum Fuel Efficiency
March 30, 2012
Rising gasoline prices don't bother members of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's Efficient Vehicles Team (RHEV), which hopes to achieve 1,400 miles per gallon -- or more -- as one of the top collegiate contenders in this weekend's Shell Eco-marathon Americas at Discovery Green Track in downtown Houston.
This innovative competition pushes future scientists and engineers to build, design, and test energy-efficient vehicles. The winner is the entry that can travel the farthest distance using the least amount of energy.
One of Rose-Hulman's two vehicles achieved 1,476 mpg to place third last year overall and was the top American collegiate entry. Both vehicles -- the 74 Classic and 74 Extra Spicy -- are back to improve on last year's performance.
 |
|
|
One of RHIT's two efficient vehicles
passes technical inspection on Thurs. -
ready for this weekend's
Shell Eco-marathon Americas event
through the streets of downtown Houston.
|
|
The interest in efficient vehicles can be shown in the growing number of event competitors. A total of 136 vehicles from throughout North America registered for this year's event. That's more than double last year's 62 entries. There are teams from Brazil, Mexico and Canada on this year's competitors' list.
The RHEV project is part of Rose-Hulman's Advanced Transportation Systems initiative, which strives to train future engineers, scientists, and mathematicians to become the driving force in automotive innovation.
Learn more about the Shell Eco-marathon Americas competition.
View the Day 1 video recap as team arrive in Houston and prepare for the competition.