March 20, 2000

High school engineering students build electric car

SANDPOINT, Idaho (AP) -- The 1929 Mercedes replica that four students at Sandpoint High School have built from a kit is one of the coolest cars on campus.

But this car isn't likely to elicit any "oohs" or "ahs" from muscle-car admirers when its "engine" comes to life. The car is electric, powered by 12 batteries that don't make a sound.

One of its student creators, junior Cole Gollen, turned the key in the purple sport convertible's ignition Wednesday to demonstrate. No starter turned over.

"It's on," he confirmed. "Not much to it."

The independent-study engineering technology students who built the car are convinced the internal combustion engine is on the way out, especially considering the recent rise in gasoline prices.

"Electric cars in some form or another will be what people will be driving in the future," said Nolan Clark, a senior who has worked on the car for two years.

Before the students tackled the project, they took a class in which they built go cart-sized electric race cars that are used as teaching tools in some schools.

Those cars competed in regional contests. Cars that traveled the farthest in an hour on a 64-pound battery were declared winners.

The Mercedes has much more juice: the dozen batteries weigh 50 pounds each.

Most are stored beneath the fiberglass-bodied vehicle's hood, with the rest taking up space normally used for the back seat. The car also includes chassis parts from a Volkswagen and a Ford Mustang.

Students were still working on their creation Wednesday, and planned to add finishing touches such as an emergency brake and speedometer.

This summer, the students plan to drive the car in Sandpoint's "Lost in the '50s" parade.

"We'll be the only electric car" in the parade, said Gary Quinn, the teacher who supervised the project.

Plenty of outside support made the project possible, including a school-to-work grant awarded in 1998. A local classic car enthusiast donated the car kit, and businesses helped supply tires and the paint job.

Another company will help collect data on the car's performance with a laptop computer that is being installed inside.

The students believe the knowledge they've gained through the project will help them in college and the job market.

"This is a chance for us to prove ourselves," said Lee Vanhorn, a senior who wants to open a custom car business.

"It's coming out great," he said of the car. "It really opened my eyes. I always thought gas engines were the best thing around."