The University of Victoria and University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Oshawa also qualified for the event. Competing against hundreds of universities from across North America makes just getting accepted is a major achievement; coming third as Waterloo did is outstanding. The winner was Virginia Tech, with Ohio State University second. 

Each EcoCAR Challenge is a three-year program in which students virtually re-engineer a production vehicle, in this case a compact crossover donated by General Motors. Students are challenged to apply their theoretical studies to real world problems. UWAFT’s principle faculty advisor was Dr. Roydan Fraser and its GM mentor was Dan Mepham.

University of Waterloo Alternative Fuels Team.

The goal was to advance a production vehicle’s technology for reduced environmental impact by lowering both fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while retaining acceptable drivability, utility, safety and general appeal. Evaluations takes place at the end of each year, and in addition to technology, teams are judged on their community outreach through things like web sites, demonstrations, obtaining local sponsors, etc.

The main overall sponsors are General Motors, U.S. Department of Energy, Canadian Government (Transport Canada and Natural Resources Canada) and California Air Resources Board. The program is managed by Argonne National Laboratory, a science and research facility operated near Chicago under the aegis of the U.S. Department of Energy.

A three-year program was specified because it’s the approximate period it takes an automobile company to develop a new vehicle in the real world. During the first year the teams use mathematical tools to select the type of powertrain, control systems, subsystems, etc., and to ensure that everything will fit into the vehicle. Years two and three are dedicated to applying these systems to the vehicle and integrating them to ensure proper functioning.

University of Ontario Institute of Technology Team.

Final evaluation of the vehicle’s dynamic performance e.g., acceleration, braking, autocross (racing around pylons), towing capacity, emissions, fuel economy, etc., takes place during a five day competition held in June of the third year at the General Motors Proving Ground in Milford, Michigan.Teams then spend another five days in Washington, DC, where they make presentations on items like the team’s control strategy, electrical/mechanical design, customer acceptability and program outreach. They receive the final results here.

Powertrain options allowed included full battery electric, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell hybrids and combustion engine hybrids. UWAFT chose a hydrogen fuel cell plug-in hybrid, the most advanced and challenging option (chosen by only one other team, Missouri University of Science and Technology). General Motors donated a fourth generation GM fuel cell of the type used in their own Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Vehicle, and the four battery modules were donated by A123 System Inc. The fuel cell, located under the hood, consumes hydrogen to produce electricity, and emits only water. 

The maximum continuous output of 110 kW (147 hp) from the front motor and 70 kW (94 hp) from the rear can come from the batteries, the fuel cell or both. Fuel is contained in a modular three-tank system carrying 4.3 kg of hydrogen gas pressurized to 689 bar (10,000 psi). Tanks and batteries are located in the rear, which reduces cargo capacity from the stock 29.3 to 8.5 ft3. It is a four-wheel drive vehicle but can also run in 2wd, and driving range is 30 to 40 km on battery power alone and 300 to 340 km combined.

University of Victoria Team.

In addition to UWAFT engineers, Wilfrid Laurier University business and environmental students participated by developing business and fundraising plans, finding corporate partners and conducting fundraising events, which many use as a fourth year undergraduate credit. Engineering students earn a fourth year course credit for helping design an element of the vehicle. 

In addition to finishing third overall, UWAFT took first place for its outreach program, second in autocross (0.02 s behind!), was among the best in fuel efficiency and had zero emissions. It’s evident the future of Canadian engineering is in good hands, and upon graduation these students are a prized catch for automobile manufacturers.