University of Waterloo Alternative Fuels Team

History - 2000 Ethanol Vehicle Challenge

The 2000 EVC involved the same 14 top North American engineering colleges and universities as the 1999 EVC. The teams used the same 1999 4x4 Chevrolet Silverado's; however, there were a few catches. Not only were the fuel economy and emissions expectations higher but the vehicle also had to start in -17 C, compared to a balmy -6 C requirement in 1999.

The competition ran from May 13th-19th, beginning in Ottawa and finishing in Windsor, Ontario. The emissions, fuel economy, cold starting and acceleration testing was done in the preliminary days in Ottawa and the surrounding area. On the trip to Windsor stops were made at GM headquarters in Oshawa, Queen's Park in Toronto, Commercial Alcohols in Chatham and Gopher Dunes in Tillsonburg, where the trucks were allowed to go out and play. The final ceremonies were held in elegant Cleary Centre in Windsor.

Waterloo gave high priority to reducing emissions since a goal of the competition was to reach Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards for non-methane hydrocarbons, CO, and NOx. Strategies including an aggressive control module optimization, increasing compression ratio, improvements in exhaust system configuration, engine block heating and the addition of secondary air injection, allowed UWAFT to achieve the second lowest emissions of the competition, narrowly missing the ULEV standards.

2000 Ethanol Vehicle Challenge

Second Place Overall

Best Fuel Economy

Best Ethanol Conversion