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EcoCAR 2: Plugging In to the Future (EcoCAR) is North America's premier collegiate automotive engineering competition, challenging students with systems-level advanced powertrain design and integration. The three-year Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition (AVTC) series is organized by Argonne National Laboratory, headline sponsored by the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) and General Motors (GM), and sponsored by more than 28 industry and government leaders. Fifteen university teams from across North America are challenged to reduce the environmental impact of a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu by redesigning the vehicle powertrain without compromising performance, safety, or consumer acceptability. During the three-year program, EcoCAR teams follow a real-world Vehicle Development Process (VDP) modeled after GM's own VDP. The VDP serves as a roadmap for the engineering process of designing, building and refining advanced technology vehicles.

The pre-prototype development of a simulated rule-based hybrid energy management strategy for a 2019 Chevrolet Blazer RS converted parallel P4 full hybrid is presented. A vehicle simulation model is developed using component bench data and validated using EPA-reported dynamometer fuel economy test data. A combined Willans line model is proposed for the engine and transmission, with hybrid control rules based on efficiency-derived engine power thresholds. Algorithms are proposed for battery state of charge (SOC) management including engine loading and one pedal strategies, with battery SOC maintained within 20% to 80% safe limits and charge balanced behavior achieved. The simulated rule-based hybrid control strategy for the hybrid vehicle has an energy consumption reduction of 20% for the Hot 505, 3.6% for the HwFET, and 12% for the US06 compared to the stock vehicle.

A discussion of the need for and the advantages of fuel cell systems and technologies is presented as is a description of the multi– / inter–disciplinary efforts currently underway at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) for fuel cell system development. As part of these efforts, the Virginia Tech GATE (Graduate Automotive Technology Education) Center for Automotive Fuel Cell Systems is collaborating in research and education with both government and industry. The current focus of the center is the development of research, laboratory and educational programs in support of the design and implementation of fuel cell systems technology in advanced vehicles. Five GATE Fellowships are being funded by the DoE at the center starting Fall of 1999.

Energy Partners developed, designed, built, and tested a 20 kWe automotive fuel cell stack, which was then used in Virginia Tech's 1999 Future Car Challenge hybrid electric vehicle. Performance of the stack on a “state-of-the-art” test stand at Energy Partners is compared to data taken while the stack was in operation in the vehicle. Overall, the stack in the vehicle performed as expected. The difference in performance may be explained by different operating conditions. System considerations, such as temperature, humidification, reactant stoichiometry, monitor and control software necessary for proper fuel cell operation, are presented and reviewed.