Search
Close this search box.

Background

The Propane Vehicle Challenge (PVC), held between 1995 and 1997, focused on converting 1996 Chrysler Minivans into dedicated propane vehicles, while maintaining the performance that consumers expected from gasoline vehicles.

Featuring 12 universities, these teams competed in a series of dynamic and static events at the Chrysler Canada and University of Windsor facilities in Windsor, Ontario before embarking on an over-the-road range event from Windsor to Toronto. The winning entries met the range goal of at least 250 miles with no problem, and the University of Texas at El Paso entry achieved an incredible estimated range of 716 miles upon refueling.

During the 1996-1997 Propane Vehicle Challenge, 17 different universities from North America competed. Veteran teams were able to refine their Chrysler Minivans, while new teams had the chance to convert Dodge Dakota pickup trucks.

Vehicles underwent state-of-the-art emissions testing and presented their design strategies and vehicles to a team of industry judges for evaluation at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. Teams drove to the Texas World Speedway in College Station and competed in acceleration, handling, and fuel economy events. The teams completed the remaining events in Austin, Texas. For the first time, an award was given for the best component to the University of Texas at El Paso for the development of fuel-distribution spiders. This was a novel fuel-rail design that ensured equal distribution (temperature and pressure) of liquid-phase LPG to each fuel injector.

Inovations & Hightlights

PVC goals were to develop advanced propane vehicle technology, achieve ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standards, attain a minimum range of 250 miles, and demonstrate performance equal to or better than that of an equivalent gasoline-fueled vehicle.

  • For the first time, an award was given for the best component to the University of Texas at El Paso for the development of fuel-distribution spiders. This was a novel fuel-rail design that ensured equal distribution (temperature and pressure) of liquid-phase LPG to each fuel injector.
  • One of the evaluation tests included a road rally from Windsor to Toronto, about 250 miles, without refueling.
  • University of Windsor achieved ULEV standards in 1996.
  • Texas Tech University beat the acceleration of the standard gasoline-powered minivan in 1996 by .05 seconds, with their acceleration time taking 11.52 seconds.
  • Illinois Institute of Technology achieved 20 MPG, exceeding the fuel economy of a standard minivan.
  • GMI Engineering & Management Institute achieved LEV standards in 1996.
  • University of Texas at El Paso achieved an estimated range of 716 miles upon refueling.
  • The University of Alberta, Edmonton achieved the best fuel economy when they achieved 22.8 MPG (31.2 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (mpgge).

Universities Involved

Winners & Awards

Each year, university teams compete in a variety of static and dynamic events that range from oral presentations to on-road vehicle testing to communications and business tactics. These static and dynamic events are judged by industry sponsors and professionals, both throughout the year and in-person at the year-end competition.