Students granted a sneak peak into the future

February 25, 2011 0 By Jake Banks

Engineering students at the University of Missouri-Kansas are getting a sneak peek of Toyota’s new hydrogen fuel cell concept cars.

Students are abuzz with excitement as they get the chance to see the future of what they may be designing one day. Toyota’s new concept cars are said to be the next step in hybrid vehicles, utilizing a new brand of hydrogen fuel cell for power.

The Toyota Fuel Cell Advanced Hybrid Vehicle is similar to the already popular Prius, but uses no gasoline. Instead, electrical power is generated by the fuel cell, cutting greenhouse emissions to zero. The only thing that comes out of the exhaust is water and oxygen. The cars are scheduled to go on sale in 2015.

There is a severe shortage of engineers in the nation and the demand for new talent is at an all time high. Toyota hopes that showcasing their new vehicles will spark more interest in students and encourage them to pursue careers that will help solve the energy problems of today.

“A lot of kids don’t want to do math and science,” says UMKC student Jason Patterson. He believed that if students can see how they might be able to make real, positive changes to the world, they will be more interested in studying engineering and physics.

Students will also get to see Toyota’s new Prius Plug-in Hybrid. A vehicle that can reach speeds of 60 miles per hour using only its electric engine.

University of Missouri-Kansas Main Campus Entry

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