Dartmouth Engineering Marks 20 Years of Formula Hybrid+Electric

This year, more than 500 top undergraduate and graduate engineering students will once again compete in the annual event taking place on April 26–30 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS). Twenty-five teams have been designing and building hybrid and electric high-performance race cars over the last ten months for this one-of-a-kind competition. The event continues to grow in both scale and technical sophistication, with teams representing a wide range of universities from around the world bringing diverse approaches to vehicle design, energy management, and system integration.

"For our 20th anniversary competition, the students will prove once again that they can organize themselves into cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teams to solve real-world electrical, mechanical, computer science, and business problems to produce a technologically-advanced electric or hybrid open-wheel racecar," said Mike Chapman, Director of FH+E.

At its core, FH+E has always been an educational competition that challenges students to complete the full engineering lifecycle, with its greatest impact extending beyond technological advancements to education and professional development. Teams spend an academic year designing, fabricating, and testing their vehicles before bringing them to competition, where cars are evaluated through two major categories: static and dynamic events. 

Each category is designed to test different aspects of engineering performance, from conceptual design and financial planning to real-world vehicle capability and reliability. While the dynamic events test the vehicle's real-world performance, the static events assess the underlying engineering decisions and business considerations. Vehicles must also pass rigorous technical and safety inspections before competing, particularly due to the high-voltage systems involved in hybrid and electric drivetrains. This structure ensures that success requires more than just building a fast car—teams must demonstrate a deep understanding of system integration, safety, and efficiency. 

Dartmouth Formula Racing team co-captain Dana Haffner '06 Th'08 gives a thumbs-up as the first driver ever of a Dartmouth Formula Hybrid race car. (Photo by Douglas Fraser)

How It All Began

The roots of FH+E trace back to the early 2000s, when Dartmouth engineering students began experimenting with hybrid powertrains for Formula SAE vehicles. At the time, hybrid systems were not permitted in the established Formula SAE competition, prompting these students and their faculty advisors to create a new platform dedicated to alternative propulsion technologies. This initiative led to the official founding of the Formula Hybrid competition in 2006, with the first event held in 2007 at NHMS.

"There's no better way to learn how energy systems actually work than to build something in the real world," said Dana Haffner Guernsey '06 Th'08, CEO at Voltus, who was co-captain with Abby Davidson '05 Th'06, VP at Ibeos, of the Dartmouth Formula Racing team when they built their first hybrid car. "There was a lag between our first car and the creation of a Formula Hybrid competition where we could be eligible to race. I see technology outpacing regulatory constraints all the time, so it was a good learning experience on the regulatory and policy front as well," she said.

The Dartmouth Formula Racing team with their first entry in the first Formula Hybrid competition. Back row (l to r): Naota Nakayama; unknown; Abby Davidson; V. Reed Sibley; Jacob Goodman; Front row (l to r): Arne Kepp; Dana Haffner (Photo by Doug Fraser)

Over the past two decades, the competition has evolved to reflect broader changes in the automotive industry. In 2012, organizers introduced a fully electric vehicle category, recognizing the growing importance of battery-electric systems in both commercial and motorsport applications. This addition transformed the event into Formula Hybrid+Electric, expanding its scope and attracting teams interested in cutting-edge EV technologies.

Along the way, FH+E has attracted support from major automotive and technology companies, whose engineers serve as judges, mentors, and sponsors. The event provides direct access to a highly skilled and motivated talent pool of students who have already demonstrated hands-on experience with complex engineering systems. 

Interactions with these companies provide students with valuable feedback and networking opportunities, often leading to internships and full-time employment. Many FH+E alumni have gone on to work in electric vehicle development, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. 

This year's sponsors include Applied Materials, MacLean-Fogg, ePropelled, Solidworks, Fibre Glast, and Allegro MicroSystems, as well as IEEE Future Directions, IEEE Industry Applications Society, IEEE Power Electronics Society, and IEEE Transportation Electrification Council.  

FH+E Founding Director Doug Fraser stands with current Director Mike Chapman at the competition in 2017. (Photo by Karen Endicott.)

Developing Future Engineers

"The 20th anniversary of the competition is, above all, a celebration of the students who have driven its success and evolution," said Chapman.

From its humble beginnings at Dartmouth to its current status as an internationally-recognized competition, FH+E has played a vital role in advancing engineering education and preparing participants for the future of engineering. 

As electrification continues to reshape transportation, competitions like FH+E will become increasingly important by equipping students with the skills and experience needed to succeed in this changing landscape. For the students who have participated through the years, the competition represents more than a single event—it is a transformative experience that shapes their careers.

"We had to think about individual design components, but we also had to think holistically," said Guernsey. "For the car to all come together, we needed mechanical systems, electrical systems, software controls, energy management, economics, and regulations all to work together at the same time as a whole."

Reflecting on 20 years of competition, the cars may be faster and the technology more advanced, but the core spirit of the competition remains unchanged—a commitment to learning, teamwork, and the pursuit of better solutions.