University of Waterloo
About
The University of Waterloo Alternative Fuels Team (UWAFT) has a longstanding history with Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions (AVTCs), beginning with the Propane Vehicle Challenge in 1995. These competitions push universities to re-engineer consumer vehicles, developing cutting-edge capabilities that lead the automative industry. As the industry shifts towards electrification, UWAFT continues to innovate, focusing on the electric vehicle advancements through the EcoCAR Challenge. Today, the team operates out of North America’s largest student team facility and is composed of over 35 members, all dedicated to driving sustainable vehicle development.
In Year 3 of the EcoCAR competition, UWAFT’s vision remains grounded in technological innovation and preparing future automotive leaders through hands-on learning experiences across engineering, marketing and project management initiatives. This year, UWAFT is focused on finalizing our physical integration and developing a strong framework for creating safety requirements that guide technical development while ensuring optimal system efficiency of our Cadillac LYRIQ.
Mission
UWAFT’s mission is to build on its legacy of automative engineering excellence while driving advanced vehicle innovation. We are dedicated to providing an environment where students can develop practical skills relevant to the automotive industry and emerging technologies. Our goal is to offer a supportive space for members to explore their passions, build technical expertise, and provide the skills to confidently enter the workforce.
Goals
This year, UWAFT has three main goals:
- In Year 3, UWAFT is striving to finish in the top five at EcoCAR’s end-of-year competition.
- Our goal this year is to provide students with hands-on experiential learning and networking opportunities that allow them to explore their interests in the automative industry. These opportunities span various fields, including but not limited to computer, electrical and mechanical engineering and marketing outreach development.
- This year, UWAFT intends to raise $25,000 to enrich the learning environment and experience of UW students and expand access to resources for our outreach programs, including K-12 STEM Education.
Team Members
Roydon Fraser
Lead Faculty Advisor
UWAFT
Derek Rayside
CAV Faculty Advisor
UWAFT
Christopher Nielsen
CAV Faculty Advisor
UWAFT
Hillary Bergsieker
EiM Faculty Advisor
UWAFT
Skyler Nam-Wong
Project Management
UWAFT
Kha Vi An Tran
Communications Manager
UWAFT
Pamela Campos-Ordonez
Mobility Challenge Lead
UWAFT
Muhammad Abdullah
Systems Design and Integration
UWAFT
Henri Rofiq
Propulsion Controls and Modelling
UWAFT
Zahra Yousefi
Connected and Automated Vehicle Lead
UWAFT
Abhi Gupta
Connected and Automated Vehicle Lead
UWAFT
Get Involved
Interested in becoming a member? Come to our meetings:
- General Meetings – First Wednesday of the month (E5 2004, 5pm – 6pm)
- PCM Meeting – Every other Wednesday (E5 1011, 6pm-7pm)
- CAVs Meeting – Every other Thursday (E5 1011, 5:30pm – 6:30pm)
- COMMs Meeting – Every Thursday (E5, 1011, 3pm – 4pm)
- SDI Meeting – Every Thursday (E5 1011, 8pm – 9pm)
Interested in Volunteering at our events? Do any of the following:
- Drop by our office and talk to any of the leads for more information
- Email us with the headline “UWAFT – Volunteer Inquiry”
- Message us on Instagram
- Shoot us an email
Contact Information
Address
200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
For any questions or concerns, contact the UWAFT Communications Manager: Kha Vi An Tran at uwaft.ecocar@gmail.com
