Project Venturer Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT)

Trenton, NJ, June 11, 1999...The NJ Venturer took First Place Honors for Engineering Excellence at the 11th annual North East Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) Tour de Sol. The Venturer, a hydrogen fuel cell powered electric car, represented New Jersey at this national event. The Tour de Sol is a 225 mile road rally dedicated to promoting the use of clean, sustainable energy. This year, the event attracted the greatest number of vehicles ever, and NESEA officials had to turn entrants away.

The New Jersey Venturer was also singled out for recognition as the first hydrogen fuel cell powered electric vehicle in the world to enter a competition. James Weinstein, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, said "The Venturer was the only electric vehicle that never had to plug into an electrical power source to recharge its batteries during the week-long competition." The New Jersey car was driven in "real world" conditions, sustaining heavy rain, steep hills and rigid performance and durability tests.

The Venturer had the best score in the Green Category, based on emissions and fuel efficiency. The only emissions produced by the Venturer are heat and water. The Venturer also gamered a Second Place Award for overall performance in the hybrid vehicle category. Six different categories were open to entrants. The NJ Venturer was entered in the hybrid category.

"Our achievement at the Tour de Sol demonstrates the great advances that can be made through a public/private partnership," said Commissioner Weinstein. "We started with little more than a four year old sub-compact car and without the massive resources of major automotive manufacturers. In a period of only four months our partnership proved the viability of the development of a truly environmentally friendly vehicle. One that will clean our air and reduce our dependence on imported oil. We thank all of our partners who contributed so much to make this effort a success. We’ve already started making plans for next year."

The New Jersey Venturer partners include H-Power Corporation, Neocon Technologies, Advanced Power Associates, MG Industries, Fully Independent Residential Technology (FIRST), Inc., Diversatech, Inc., Ford Mortar Company, W.L. Gore and Associates, Wenzel & Company, Inc., NWL Transformer, Perma Pure, Rutgers University Center for Advanced Infrastructure & Transportation, Rowan University, Burlington County College, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Cinnaminson High School, Hunterdon County Polytech, Hunterdon County High School, NJ Department of Transportation, NJ Board of Public Utilities, NJ Commerce Commission and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.

When the vehicle was honored as the first of its type in the world to enter a competition, Mike Strizki of the NJ Department of Transportation, Project Manager of the NJ Venturer, demonstrated the car’s clean emissions by drinking some of the chemically pure water emitted by the vehicle in a toast to the judges.

The NJ Venturer web site can be visited at: www.civeng.rutgers.edu/venturer.

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