GM announces ChallengeX follow-up, EcoCAR, the NeXT Challenge

The Challenge-X student design competition sponsored by General Motors and the Department of Energy is now in the last of a four-year schedule with the final phase coming up in May 2008. The Challenge-X gave teams of engineering students the opportunity to convert a Chevrolet Equinox to an alternative power-train. The teams designed and installed a wide variety of hybrid and alternative fuel power-trains.

As the Challenge-X program draws to a close, GM has announced the follow-up competition: EcoCAR. Just as the car makers are trying to shorten their development times, so too must the students. EcoCar will last three years and interested teams will have to submit their applications this winter. GM will evaluate the entrants and select 16 teams to compete with an announcement coming next April. This time around students will have to take a GM car and engineer a power-train that meets CARB zero-emissions-vehicle requirements.

[Source: General Motors]

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