The UC Davis engineering students who won the top prize in the nation last month for their energy-saving hybrid vehicle and mechanical know-how have been invited back to Washington, D.C., to be honored by the White House. They hit the road Monday, July 14.The first leg of their cross-country trip that day takes the team from UC Davis to California's State Capitol where Senator Maurice Johannessen and Assemblywoman Helen Thomson will host the students on the west steps at 10 a.m. Then at 11 a.m. they will be honored by the legislature for their research, innovation and conversion of a Ford Taurus to electric power and a reformulated gasoline engine.Their trip to the White House will take about a week, and they'll showcase their vehicle at various stops. The students will display their award-winning car during the "Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles Symposium," hosted by Vice President Al Gore on Tuesday, July 22 through Wednesday, July 23. The symposium focuses on partnerships with the U.S. Auto Industry and government.Last month, the students won the nation's highest honor for fuel efficiency, low emissions and the application of advanced material and technology in the FutureCar National Challenge held in Michigan and Washington, D.C. UC Davis mechanical engineering students beat out all other students at the top engineering schools in the country.