WVU’s EcoCar 3 Competition Lands Students Jobs in Auto Industry
A multi-disciplinary team of West Virginia University students is competing in EcoCar 3, the latest in a series of Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions sponsored by General Motors and the U.S. Department of Energy. In the competitions, students create a hybrid-electric 2016 Chevrolet Camaro that reduces emissions while maintaining performance, consumer acceptability and safety.
Students from a variety of disciplines–including engineering, communications and business–collaborate on the project, which may result in new hybrid vehicle technologies.
Chelsea Betts, communications manager for the WVU EcoCar 3 team, says the program offers valuable connections to students with the auto industry. In fact, 75 percent of those who take part have landed jobs in the industry, she added.
The WVU EcoCAR 3 team is one of the 16 North American Universities participating in the competition. In order to be successful, the WVU team needs to secure sponsorships in the form of monetary and in-kind donations.
“These donations can be used to help develop the vehicle, execute outreach events, or even purchase tools necessary to promote our team to the general public.
“We are also very fortunate to have some businesses and organizations partner with us in order to create successful events. For example, the NAFTC (National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium at WVU) is partnering with us and donating the use of their educational vehicles for an upcoming outreach event,” Betts said.
The WVU team set a goal of $25,000 to raise in sponsorships and contributions to help defer the cost of developing the expensive, but necessary, technologies needed to produce such an advanced vehicle.
Individuals, companies, or organizations that may be interested in donating to support the cause should contact Betts at cbetts@mix.wvu.edu or the team development officer, Garret Carden at Gtcarden@mix.wvu.edu.
For more information about the team please visit www.Ecocar3.org/wvu. Find the team on Facebook by searching West Virginia University EcoCAR 3 and follow on Twitter and Instagram at @wvuecocar3.