Futuretruck, hybrid suv to be featured

The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s national champion FutureTruck will be featured alongside the first hybrid sport utility vehicle available to consumers at the UW–Madison College of Engineering Wednesday, July 7.

The FutureTruck, a re-engineered sport utility vehicle, is coming off its third consecutive national championship in the FutureTruck competition, held in June in Michigan.

The FutureTruck competition features teams of undergraduate students that work on sport utility vehicles to make them run cleaner and with better fuel economy without sacrificing the SUV’s towing, storage and off-road driving capabilities. Part of the advanced engineering in the FutureTruck is the use of a hybrid engine, which runs on both traditional internal combustion and electrical systems.

The FutureTruck will be showcased alongside the Ford Motor Company’s Escape Hybrid, the first hybrid SUV available in the commercial vehicle market. The Escape Hybrid operates as a “full hybrid” vehicle, meaning it runs on a gasoline engine, electric motor, or both, depending on which will provide maximum fuel efficiency and performance.

Ford officials note that hybrid engine technology has proven to be popular in Wisconsin, as the state ranks 19th in the nation in hybrid vehicle registrations.

Both the FutureTruck and Escape Hybrid will be available Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the UW–Madison campus outside Engineering Hall, 1415 Engineering Drive, across from the College of Engineering fountain.

Members of the FutureTruck team, as well as officials from Ford Motor Co., will also be available.