University of Tennessee engineering students changed the way that cars are

powered by designing a dual powered car for the FutureCar Challenge.

The FutureCar Challenge was a week-long competition where students from 13

universities enter an alternatively-fueled Dodge Intrepid to be judged for

fuel efficiency, handling, acceleration, emissions and design.

UT’s team of students designed its vehicle to run off of batteries, a small

natural gas engine or both at the same time. The gas engine can also be

used to recharge the batteries. UT’s car has more combinations of power

sources than any other team in the competition

“We are doing something never before attempted in the FutureCar competition

by entering a dual hybrid electric vehicle” said Jeff Hodgson, professor of

mechanical engineering and the team’s faculty advisor. “It is a lofty goal,

but we have reliable team members, initiative and a competitive desire to

not only make this proposal work, but to win the competition.”

This competitive desire and innovation has led UT engineering teams to

three alternative fuel competition wins in the past 10 years. They have

also finished in the top four in nine out of the 10 competitions.

The result of the dual hybrid engine is a car that can reduce pollution and

increase fuel economy. The car that UT’s team is designing has a fuel

economy equivalent of 80 miles per gallon of gasoline.

“I think it is remarkable the students have come as far as they have come

with such an ambitious project,” Hodgson said.