Profile of a Patriot

Through the Lugar Energy Patriot, Senator Lugar profiles a student, professional, scholar, or member of the business community who has demonstrated leadership and initiative in taking concrete action to improve America's energy security. In addition to the profile posted here, individuals will receive a certificate designating them Lugar Energy Patriots, and a letter of congratulations.

BITW Technologies
Palmyra, Indiana

George Voll, with BITW Technologies in Palmyra, is building a vehicle that can reach 100 miles per gallon. That may sound like a project for George Jetson, but George Voll and his team are making it happen in Southern Indiana.

Voll, and his team of eight other Hoosiers, are competing in the Progressive Automotive X-Prize competition. Their goal is to create a 100 miles per gallon vehicle feasible for mass production.

Break on through to the other side: Power & Efficiency

The X-Prize Foundation seeks to bring about radical breakthroughs in specific areas by harnessing the powers of competitive spirit. The original X-Prize led to the first private space flight, and the Progressive Automotive X-prize has revolutionizing transportation in its sights.

Senator Lugar joined with Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) in authoring a U.S. Senate resolution in support of the Automotive X-Prize, passed March 14, 2008. "Automotive innovation is key to reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and Indiana can lead that automotive revolution" said Senator Lugar. "The Automotive X-Prize demonstrates remarkable vision and leadership. I am particularly encouraged that development of the prize benefits from insights of a diverse group of government, non-government, university and industry representatives. This includes our team from Southern Indiana."

With 97 original entrants, the BITW Technologies team has made it to the top 25 challengers, facing off in road tests in Michigan later this year.

Armed with a degree from Indiana University, Voll is focused on ensuring the car he developed leads to a more efficient energy future and additional job opportunities for Indiana.

"I’ve always had an interest in cars and making them more efficient," said Voll. "I mean, no one is a fan of $4 and $5 gas, so why not build a car that doesn’t need gas as often."

Voll wants to protect Americans from the problems of foreign oil. "Other world issues should not interrupt our life," said Voll.  "Our efforts will help more than our pocketbooks."

The BITW Technologies team has put in more than 100 hours of work into the Chevrolet Metro that has been converted to turbo diesel.

"Our car is the only non-Hybrid Diesel vehicle in the competition," said Voll. "It’s been strenuous work on the car but we are happy with our results so far."

The vehicle will run on 20% biodiesel for the competition, however, the car can operate on 100% biodiesel.

"We designed the car to have the best efficiency possible which includes being able to run on 100% biodiesel," said Voll. "The competition just doesn’t have the infrastructure for our car to run at full efficiency."

In it to win it

Voll and the BITW Technologies team believe if they win, the $10 million in prize money can be used to begin mass production of their engine and a true decrease in dependence on foreign oil.

"I believe in Indiana. Should we win, we’d be offering Indiana more than a title. We’d offer labor and engineering jobs and an increased effort to be more energy efficient."

Teams for the competition came from all over the world. Voll and his team are the only competitors from the Indiana-Kentucky-Ohio region.

"This isn’t regional, rather, it is global in scope," said Voll. "Winning this competition makes us, Indiana, a model for other states and countries to continue and broaden their energy efforts."

Education is important to Voll and his team as well.

"We’d like to use our vehicle and stress its importance in local schools," said Voll. "Showcasing the value of engineering and science is crucial for Indiana students and we would be thrilled to help in that area."

"We are excited to have the opportunity to be involved and highlight Indiana with what can be done in terms of energy efficiency," said Voll. "If we can get away from any dependence on foreign oil we’ll all be better off."

Senator Lugar agrees. That is why we congratulate BITW Technologies on being a Lugar Energy Patriot.