KLK302: Advanced Vehicle Concept Team
Phase II: FutureTruck 2000

Project Objectives:

The objectives of this project are to

• Complete conversion of the 2000 Suburban into a working hybrid electric vehicle ready for competition in June 2001

• Educate the public on the benefits of hybrid propulsion vehicles, and

• Collect data on the performance of the FutureTruck in terms of power generated and energy efficiency.

Task Descriptions:

Task 1: Complete the conversion of the General Motors Suburban to a hybrid electric vehicle.

Task 2: Install the gear-reducer for improved efficiency.

Task 3: Integrate the use of SmartHEV and other modeling software to predict vehicle performance (see KLK305).

Task 4: Collect energy and vehicle performance data on FutureTruck

Task 5: Compare and validate software vehicle models with FutureTruck data.

Task 6: Educate the community on the feasibility of hybrid electric vehicles.

Milestones:

• Project start date: July 1, 2000

• Complete the defining of FutureTruck project goals: October 2000

• Tune 1.5L VW Diesel Engine: January 2001

• Install gear reducer: January 2001

• Design and test local driving cycles: January 2001

• Complete software modeling of vehicle: March 2001

• Collect FutureTruck operating data: March 2001

• Compete in FutureTruck competition: June 2001

• Projected end date f: July 2001

Budget Information:

UTC funds allocated to Phase II are $21,705.

Student Involvement:

The FutureTruck program involves 3 graduate students and more than 40 undergraduate members of the Advanced Vehicle Concepts Team (AVCT) working with faculty advisors, Steve Beyerlein and Don Blackketter.

Relationship to the NIATT Strategic Plan and to Other Research Projects:

The vehicle will provide the platform a number of NIATT projects including the NIATT work on modeling vehicle performance and clean engine developments.

Technology Transfer Activities:

We will be competing in the FutureTruck competition in Detroit in June, 2001. A final publication will be prepared as part of the final competition.

Potential Benefits of the Project:

The primary benefit of the project is the public demonstration that electric vehicles can meet the demanding performance requirements of Sport Utility Vehicles while providing for increase energy efficiency. 

Project status:

Complete Final Report for Phase I and II:

N01-21 (pdf)