James Madison University - Alternative Fuels Vehicle Lab

http://www.jmuafv.org/

Harrisonburg, VA
Dr. Chris Bachmann, Director, Alternative Fuel Vehicle Lab
Email: bachmacg@jmu.edu
Phone: 540-568-2735

It is easy to get involved with the AFV lab. We're open to ALL MAJORS and ALL SKILLS. We have needs for everyone - gearheads, artists, marketing, business, policy, and more!

With skyrocketing fuel prices and political instability, alternative fuels are a state and national priority. Fuels, such as ethanol, hydrogen, and biodiesel, which can be derived locally from agricultural crops and potentially animal wastes, are particularly attractive. Alternative technologies are a logical complement. The funded, applied projects we have done in the past include developing a hydrogen fuel cell back-up power station for Shenandoah National Park, converting a portion of the university's waste vegetable oil to biodiesel fuel, and understanding truck driver technology adoption patterns. Examples of exploratory student projects include construction of hybrid vehicles, development of ethanol production methods, and production of biodiesel production from algae.

Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

JMU's alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) fleet includes several hybrid vehicles. In addition, we have multiple electric vehicle student projects. Designed with the intent of creating a zero-emission vehicle that produces no harmful exhaust gasses, JMU students converted a 1985 Volkswagen Jetta with an internal combustion engine into a 144-volt electric vehicle for James Madison University's facilities management fleet. The vehicle was capable of a top speed of 70 miles per hour and a range of 50 miles on a single charge. JMU ISAT students have also created an electric four-wheeler conversion that is powered by four 12-volt lead acid batteries and a 48-volt DC motor. It is capable of achieving speeds of up to 30 mph through its variable speed transmission and can run for 5 hours on a single charge (in work mode). Both the electric conversion Jetta and the electric 4-wheeler demonstrate the feasibility of developing electric vehicles. However, the range of these electric vehicles is limited (about 50 miles max.), charging times are long (2-8 hours), and there are no charging stations for electric vehicles to 're-fuel' once you are out on the road.

Solar Vehicles

Students in the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Lab added a top to a conventional golf cart, installed a solar panel on the top, and wired it through a controller to charge the conventional lead acid batteries in the golf cart.

Retrieved from James Madison University website on 12/31/2009.