MARSHALL – A student team from Penn State Behrend achieved 3,014 miles per gallon at the Society of Automotive Engineers Supermileage competition held earlier at Eaton’s Proving Grounds in Marshall.
“The team and car really came together this year for an outstanding performance. The correct combination of driver skill, engine tuning, and environmental and track conditions allowed the vehicle to break 3,000 mpg,” said Scott DeLaney, president of the Penn State Behrend team. “Thousands of hours were spent this year fine tuning all of the systems to work together in unison, and our sponsors enabled us to accomplish our goals.”
The competition, in its 39th year, helps to generate public awareness of high-mileage fuel-efficient vehicles and encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Participants are encouraged to use advanced materials and technologies, as well as their design creativity and imaginations, to get the most out of their vehicles over the 9.6-mile course – six times around Eaton’s 1.6-mile test track.
“It is truly amazing what these student teams were able to accomplish,” said Jim Gluys, Eaton Supermileage Event Manager, 2004 – 2018. “The Supermileage competition helps them develop practical engineering, team-building and leadership skills that they can use to succeed in their careers, including making tomorrow’s cars and trucks more fuel efficient.”
A total of 32 collegiate teams (21 from the U.S., eight from Canada, one from Lebanon, one from United Arab Emirates, and one from Qatar) competed this year. Two collegiate teams from Michigan participated: Lawrence Technological University and Michigan Technological University.
Supermileage is a part of SAE’s Collegiate Design Series. In addition to hosting Supermileage, Eaton is providing financial and technical support to a student-engineering team from the University of Michigan to design and develop a vehicle to compete against other student teams in the American Solar Challenge competition this year.
For more information, visit Eaton.com.
