Engineered for Impact: Kettering Clean Snowmobile Team Earns First Place Honors for Emissions and Fuel Economy

rnorris — Mon, 12 May 2025 13:45:24 +0000

rnorris Mon, 05/12/2025 - 09:45

Kettering students don’t wait for the future — they engineer it.

At this year’s SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge, Kettering’s Team delivered industry-relevant results where it counts: performance. Built and tested in Kettering’s SAE Garage and labs, the team’s entry led the field in two critical categories:

In-Service Emissions (Spark Ignited Class)
Lowest total carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) per mile
Score: 196 out of 200 — First Place

In-Service Fuel Economy (Spark Ignited Class)
23 miles per gallon using just 0.0777 gallons over 1.787 miles
Score: 100 out of 100 — First Place

“I’m extremely proud of the effort of our team members,” said Dr. Greg Davis, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Advanced Engine Research Laboratory at Kettering. “A snowmobile getting 23 miles per gallon is something many cars can’t achieve.”

“I knew we placed well in emissions, but did not expect first place, so when I heard the news I was very happy and proud of all my team members,” said team captain Jaysen Ruhl ‘25 (Mechanical Engineering). “Our initial goal this year was to get the team back on its feet and to compete, and to come out with a win in two large categories of the event was very positive!”

More than a project, the snowmobile was a hands-on proving ground — hundreds of hours of data analysis, design refinement, and industry-standard testing. For students, it was about more than building a better vehicle. It was about pushing clean mobility forward.

“These competitions let students apply what they’ve learned to solve real problems,” Dr. Davis said. “They think differently: While manufacturers often play it safe, our students push boundaries and inspire better industry solutions.”

At Kettering, innovation is never hypothetical. It’s built. Tested. Measured. Because when you’re built for challenge, you don’t talk about potential. You prove it.