Supermileage Systems Enterprise High Efficiency Vehicles
Why This Project Is Important
Due to increasingly strict fuel standards and the need to reduce the United States’ dependency on oil, the auto industry must develop new methods for increasing fuel mileage in their fleets. These new standards mean that by 2025 all small cars (Honda Fit or similar class) 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. 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
Michigan Technological University's Supermileage Systems Enterprise team is rising to the challenge by developing vehicles that push efficiency to the extreme. Imagine traveling from New York to Miami in a little over one gallon of gasoline. Our team is striving to help make that a reality by developing a 1000+ mpg gasoline powered vehicle that uses advanced, lightweight composite materials; advanced engine control and fuel management strategies; and extreme design to reduce drag, energy losses, and all sources of friction.
The vehicle will then be used to compete in the 2015 SAE Supermileage competition, where scores are based on the fuel efficiency achieved over a prepared course, as well as the overall vehicle design. The vehicle must also meet many design constraints, including exitability, driver visibility, and vehicle turning radius.
In addition to petrol power, the team is developing a modular vehicle design that accepts a zero-emissions, battery electric powertrain whose performance and range will be demonstrated in the 2016 Shell Ecomarathon competition. This is a first for our Supermileage team, and with even more design contraints that arise from designing an electric vehicle, our team must focus more on research and development.
Meet the Researcher
Pattrick Loew
I have privilege to be the Supermileage Systems Enterprise CEO in this exciting time.I will be graduating in Spring 2015.
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What Your Donation Can Help Us Do:
- Donations will help fund vehicle research and development
- Materials and hardware purchases
- Travel expenses to lower Michigan for vehicle testing and participation in national competitions
$1+ 6 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+ 4 Funders
All the above, plus choice of either one Michigan Tech Advanced Motorsports T-shirt or hat
$250+ 2 Funders
All the above, plus electronic copies of the Supermileage team's SAE design reports
$1,000+ 2 Funders
All the above, plus your name/company logo on all Supermileage vehicles
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