The Challenge X Student Engineering Experience

Engineering students from Mississippi State University have successfully competed in a four-year competition among 17 universities throughout North America, Challenge X: Crossover to Sustainable Mobility. With headline sponsorship by the U.S. Department of Energy and General Motors, a Chevrolet Equinox was re-engineered to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions, and increase performance. The competition was an intense, profound endeavor for the students resulting in technological developments, proficiency with today's engineering tools and methodology, and a unique team experience. The students' success in re-engineering a conventional vehicle poses the question as to whether it can serve as a model for broad introduction of HEV/PHEV technology into niche market segments.