Hybrid Vehicle Development Team
2005 HVD Team
Mechanical Engineering
The HVDT has designed a high performance, hybrid hydraulic vehicle based on a 2002 Ford Explorer platform. This highly efficient design incorporates the use of a Volkswagen TDI engine rated at 90HP, combined with a hydraulic system consisting of two large axial piston hydraulic motors, a smaller hydraulic pump and large volume hydraulic fluid accumulators. The performance of the design is based on achieving 1g of acceleration during an entire quarter mile. Overall horsepower is expected to be close to 1000HP with matching torque, resulting in an approximate 10 second quarter mile. High efficiency is obtained due to energy storage of hydraulic fluid in the accumulator and the strategic use of the more efficient diesel engine running on biodiesel fuel. While driving around town, power is obtained solely from the hydraulic system. The use of regenerative braking contributes to more efficiency by restoring energy in the accumulators.
Contact: Dr. Jim Widmann
Phone: 805-756-7055
Email: jwidmann@calpoly.edu