We are a team of eight mechanical engineering students at the University of New Hampshire who are interested in vehicle engineering and environmental concerns. Each mechanical engineering student is to have fulfilled the ABET requirement before graduation, which consists of a design project. Our chosen project is to engineer a snowmobile to compete in the Society of Automotive Engineers annual Clean Snowmobile Challenge.

The intent of the SAE challenge is to improve upon the performance of a stock snowmobile through redesigning the power train. Specifically the competition aims to produce snowmobiles with reduced emissions, increased fuel efficiency, and reduced noise. Setting aside development costs, the final product is to be built without adding significant cost to a current production sled. Snowmobiling is a popular winter activity with a strong base of enthusiasts and provides vital economic stimulus in many communities throughout the northern United States and Canada. In New Hampshire alone snowmobiling brings in an estimated $360 million annually (University of New Hampshire). Because of its popularity, the environmental impact of snowmobiling has come under scrutiny lately, and the picture painted by environmental groups and government regulators does not bode well for the industry. Snowmobile engines are loud and dirty; high estimates put the amount of unburned fuel leaving the engine at nearly 30%.

Our team believes that an attractive solution can be produced that will keep weight low while maintaining performance and improving upon the fuel economy. We will make use of technology extensively to control and test the engine. An overview of the steps that we will take to realize our vision: