Supermileage Systems Enterprise Battery Electric Vehicle Project
Why This Project Is Important
The goal of our Battery-Electric Vehicle project focuses on finding an alternative approach to solving the United States’ dependency on oil. The auto industry must develop new and alternative methods for increasing fuel mileage of their vehicle classes to meet standards of the government. These new standards mean that by 2025 vehicles must achieve 61 mpg and light trucks (F-150 or similar class) must hit 30 mpg. This equates to a fuel efficiency increase of 56% and 28%, respectively. Some automakers are starting to move toward Battery-Electric Vehicle design as a solution. To achieve these goals, companies are focusing on improving vehicle aerodynamics, reducing weight, and increasing the efficiency of their engines. Supermileage Systems Enterprise shares these goals, and provides an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience while working on a multi-disciplinary team.
Project Description
Our team will be developing a modular vehicle design that accepts a zero-emissions, battery-electric powertrain. This new vehicle will be used to compete in the 2016 Shell Eco Marathon Competition. The Shell Eco-marathon will challenge our team’s ability to design, build and test an ultra-energy-efficient vehicle. The winner will be the team that go the furthest using the least amount of energy. The vehicle must also meet many design constraints, safety standards, driver visibility rules and vehicle drive-ability limits. This is a first for our Supermileage team and will require us to focus more on researching and developing to assure our success.
Meet the Researchers
Pattrick Loew
I have privilege to be the Supermileage Systems Enterprise CEO in this exciting time.I will be graduating in Spring 2015.
Rick Berkey
I am a Professor of Practice in the Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology Dept. (MMET) and serve as the Enterprise Program Director, housed in the Pavlis Honors College (PHC). I advise the Supermileage Systems Enterprise, one of four teams under Michigan Tech Advanced Motorsports. I also teach two courses in Lean/Six Sigma methods as a certified Six Sigma Black Belt. Prior to Michigan Tech, I spent twelve years in industry in various roles including product development, materials, program management, operations, and Lean/Six Sigma/Quality. I've worked in the automotive, commercial vehicle, and consumer product sectors and have authored/co-authored ten patents in the area of automotive filtration products/systems.
LinkedIn Profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/rick-berkey/4/641/8a5
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What Your Donation Can Help Us Do:
- Vehicle research and development
- Material and hardware purchases
- Travel expenses for participation in the 2016 U.S. Shell Eco Marathon Competition
$1+ 7 Funders
Thank you email/letter and receipt acknowledging tax-deductible status of your donation
$50+ 5 Funders
The above, plus your name listed on the Supermileage sponsor website
$100+ 1 Funder
All the above, plus your choice of either one Michigan Tech Advanced Motorsports T-shirt or hat
$250+ 0 Funders
All the above, plus electronic copies of the Supermileage team's SAE design reports
$1,000+ 0 Funders
All the above, plus your name/company logo on all Supermileage vehicles
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