As a means to that end, Ward and about 40 of his engineering school teammates at UW-Madison are taking part in a three-year competition called “EcoCAR.”

In early October the team received a GM-donated car with the goal of converting it into an extended-range parallel hybrid vehicle. The students are taking part in the GM- and U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored challenge, where 17 North American will work at reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions during the next two years.

“I believe the auto industry needs to push for better fuel economy and that America will be pushing for better fuel economy the more the price of gas rises and become instable,” began Ward, when asked the importance of the university’s project. “Using less oil is good for both our country and the environment. Hybrid vehicles are a great way to save gas, especially in city driving environments where hybrid technologies optimize the use of energy.

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Check out our team leader, Adam Richards, in the Naperville Sun.

University of Wisconsin-Madison engineering students — including Waubonsie Valley High School graduate Adam Richards — recently received a GM-donated car to convert into an extended-range parallel hybrid vehicle.

The students are participating in a GM- and U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored competition called EcoCAR, which challenges 17 North American universities to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in a vehicle during the next two years.

Richards, who is the hybrid team leader, said the experience of participating in the EcoCAR competition is valuable for students.

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A group of engineering students from the UW-Madison vehicle teams, led by mechanical engineering faculty associate Glenn Bower, headed to Detroit on Oct. 24 for the first-ever Motor City Badgers’ Road Trip Rally. The event aimed to inspire both the students visiting Detroit and the automotive industry members who met with the engineering talent of the future.

The Detroit chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association organized and hosted the event and launched a three-year $10 million endowment campaign. The endowment will take UW-Madison vehicle teams to the next level and ensure UW-Madison remains a source of innovative, well-trained engineers to the automotive industry for generations to come.

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Also, you might be interested to take a look at some practical information for consumers who wish to purchase energy efficient cars.  Take a look at this if you’re interested in learning more about fuel efficient vehicles on the market:  Hybrid Buyer’s Guide