UOIT hosts energy-efficient vehicle convoy

OSHAWA, ON – With Canadians facing the highest gasoline prices they’ve ever seen throughout 2012, consumers  are worried there is nothing they can do about the strain that fuel costs are placing on their budgets. But the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) says today’s motorists can, in fact, do something if they take a close look at range of fuel-efficient choices being offered by the auto industry.

To demonstrate that point, AJAC members are driving 23 new vehicles across Southern Ontario to showcase the latest in advanced automotive technologies. The three-day journey billed as EcoRun began in Brighton, Ontario, and made the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) one of its first stops to give those in Oshawa and across Durham Region a close-up of the energy-efficient car options now available.

“EcoRun is based on England’s historic London-to-Brighton run for vintage cars, except our version is going from Brighton to London, Ontario, and we’re highlighting green vehicles,” said Clare Dear, AJAC president. “The broad spectrum of fuel-efficient choices on the market right now includes hybrids, electric vehicles and other advanced conventional technologies. EcoRun encourages the handprint vs. footprint philosophy of making a difference through educated choices and behaviours.”

AJAC is joined by two event partners: the Canadian Automobile Association and Natural Resources Canada. EcoRun is supported by 15 manufacturers who provided the vehicles.

AJAC members and industry leaders met with members of UOIT’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science who shared details about their latest automotive engineering research projects, which include advanced electric vehicles, battery technologies, charging stations and crash test simulations. The entourage also toured UOIT’s ultramodern research facility: including the dynamic testing chambers inside the world-class Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) which is anchored by a one-of-a-kind five-storey climatic wind tunnel.

“UOIT offers the only fully accredited automotive engineering program in Canada, so we are delighted that AJAC made a priority of stopping at our university, to see first-hand our commitment to excellence in teaching, learning and innovative research,” said Dr. Richard Marceau, UOIT provost and vice-president, Academic. “Through our technology-enriched learning environment, our undergraduate and graduate students learn from and collaborate with internationally recognized faculty and are prepared with the knowledge and skills required to excel and lead in the 21^st century workplace.”

UOIT’s Automotive Engineering research areas include:

• Automotive communications, software and electronics;
• Automotive manufacturing and materials;
• Electric/hybrid vehicles and alternative fuels;
• Vehicle dynamics and performance; and
• Vehicle thermal management.

EcoRun vehicle list:

• BMW: 3-Series;
• CHRYSLER: Fiat 500;
• FORD: Edge Ecoboost and Focus Electric;
• GENERAL MOTORS: Buick Regal e-Assist and Chevrolet Volt;
• HONDA: CR-Z;       
• HYUNDAI: Sonata Hybrid;
• KIA: Optima Hybrid;
• MAZDA: 3 SKYACTIV and CX-5 SKYACTIV;
• MITSUBISHI: iMiEV;
• MERCEDES-BENZ: CLS 63 AMG and Smart Fortwo Electric Drive;
• NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA: Various test fleet vehicles;
• NISSAN: Leaf;
• PORSCHE: Panamera Hybrid;
• TOYOTA: Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Camry Hybrid and Lexus GS 450h; and
• VOLKSWAGEN: Passat TDI Clean Diesel.

About AJAC

The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) is an association of professional journalists, writers and photographers whose focus is the automobile and the automotive industry. The majority of AJAC journalists test-drive, and report on, new vehicles on an on-going basis in various media across the country. AJAC offers expertise to consumers in a variety of ways so that they may benefit from the journalists' professional experience.

About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.

Media contact
Bryan Oliver
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2209
bryan.oliver@uoit.ca