In the first decade of the new millennium, the American automotive customer market trended toward larger family-sized vehicles. At the same time, an increased need to reduce energy consumption, as well as decreased vehicle emissions, was becoming imperative. As a result, the automotive and electronics industries, the U.S. and Canadian governments, and the academic community worked together to launch Challenge X: Crossover to Sustainable Mobility.

The teams in Challenge X employed many novel ideas, approaches, and technologies that (1) provided near-term and long-term solutions to significantly reduce well-to-wheel energy consumption, (2) reduce petroleum energy consumption and emissions, (3) significantly reduce criteria tailpipe and GHG emissions, and (4) increase pump-to-wheel fuel economy. All of the teams selected hybrid vehicle designs for their student-modified vehicles, spanning the gamut of parallel, through-the-road, and series hybrid electric vehicle. These vehicles employed state-of-the-art nickel metal-hydride and lithium-ion battery packs. A variety of advanced electric drive systems employed by the teams enabled the hybrid electric vehicle features, such as regenerative braking, high-load electric assist, and engine transient smoothing. Engine selections were dominated by highly efficient diesels and turbocharged spark-ignited engines operating on biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. More advanced engines, such as highly diluted and boosted spark-ignition engines and hydrogen-assisted ultra-lean burn combustion strategies were also used. Highlights:

Since the beginning, more than 93 universities across North America and 16,500 students have participated in AVTCs. Each year, 200-500 students join forces in AVTCs mission of educating the next generation of automotive engineers and advancing state-of-the-art fuels and vehicle technologies.

Each year, university teams compete in a variety of static and dynamic events that range from oral presentations to on-road vehicle testing to communication 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.

Sponsors provide the hardware, software, training, and support the teams need to integrate technologies into their competition vehicles.

Take a look back at the competition by reading previous press coverage, program materials and documents, publications, videos, and photos in the news and media section!