Basic Utility Vehicle

Purdue's Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering partnered with The African Centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies (ACREST) in 2009 to develop a basic utility vehicle (BUV) that is low-cost, durable, adaptable and easily manufactured. Students from other disciplines of engineering and the colleges of Agriculture and Technology also have contributed to the project.

  Early in May the Purdue team traveled to Bangang, Cameroon, to produce a three-wheel BUV based on designs developed over the current academic year.

The prototype has been tested through 3-D modeling software and extensive field runs and is modified from previous BUV models the Purdue team used in Cameroon. Purdue's team also won the 2012 Institute for Affordable Transportation Student Design Competition, running the vehicle for more than 10 hours and 60 miles while carrying 110 gallons of water and two people.
 

The project's goal was to keep costs around $1,500, not including the engine. The changes implemented this year have reduced the cost to $800. Small diesel engines are available locally in Cameroon for $500.

Purdue's first BUV designed for Cameroon was constructed mostly of wood. The new model features more angle iron and car driveline parts that can be recycled from a junkyard. Other notable changes include adding a front strut to allow for braking on all three wheels, front suspension and a 5-speed transmission with reverse.

This year's prototype is similar to a car driveline, whereas last year's BUV featured a transmission composed of belts and pulleys, which was difficult to replicate in Cameroon.

Rural roads in the area are mostly dirt. They are narrow and many have ruts nearly a foot deep. The BUV would allow villagers to transport large amounts of water and goods over the rough terrain.