Pryce Hosts University FutureTruck
Teams to Nation’s Capitol

Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH-15) greeted Ohio State University’s FutureTruck vehicle and a student engineering team, along with six other FutureTruck teams from competing universities today in Washington, D.C., “It’s a pleasure for me to welcome the teams to Capitol Hill and to see, first hand, tangible results from creative engineering, and proof that university students are challenged to think outside of the box,” said Pryce.      

The Congresswoman hosted the event that allowed members of the FutureTruck teams from across the country to offer explanations of their vehicle designs, and rides to members of the House and Senate.  “All of these students, and their professors should be applauded for exploring smarter, safer and sound alternatives to fuel,” said Pryce.  

The goal of FutureTruck is to redesign a conventional sport utility vehicle (SUV) to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy without compromising high standards of safety, performance or consumer appeal.  University teams from across the country use a combination of advanced technologies and materials; everything from hybrid-electric power train configurations to redesigned lightweight frames to fuel cells.  The teams have been challenged to refine the reengineered Ford Explorers to achieve lower-emission and at least 25% higher fuel economy, without sacrificing performance, utility, safety and affordability. 

The students employ a variety of cutting-edge technologies including advanced propulsion systems, lightweight materials, hybrid electric design strategies, and alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ethanol and biodiesel.  After months of preparation, teams will undergo a comprehensive safety evaluation followed by dynamic testing and static design events at Ford’s Michigan Proving Ground in June. 

FutureTruck, a three-year program in its last stage, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.  

Congresswoman Pryce represents the Fifteenth District of Ohio, which includes Western Franklin County, Madison, and Union Counties.  She serves as Chairman of the House Republican Conference for the 108th Congress, making her the fourth ranking member of House leadership.  The Congresswoman also co-chairs the Cancer Caucus.