Students cruise with energy efficiency

GRAND CHUTE - With gas at more than $4.00 per gallon in some areas, dozens of high schoolers from around the state are exploring answers to beat the jump at the pump.

More than 40 teams built gas, hybrid and electric vehicles as part of the Wisconsin Energy Efficient Vehicle Association Challenge, hosted by Fox Valley Technical College.

"It's really to help them get the high-tech manufacturing skills, hands-on sills, that are going to be in important to keep this state alive," said Mike Cattelino with FVTC.

The vehicles will hit the track at Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna Friday night and Saturday, to be tested on overall efficiency.

"I think we could push 500 miles per gallon," said Travis Wallander, a senior from Brillion High School.

The one-seater vehicles are not street legal.

However, a team from Wild Rose High School has converted a 1994 Geo Metro into a full-electric vehicle.

"We get about 40 to 50 miles on one charge," said senior Levi Gage, which is about the same mileage as a gallon of gas.

The car runs off of ten batteries and costs about $1.70 to fully charge, less than half the price of a gallon of gas.

The team of five students and their teacher, Allan Dickman, has been working on the car since September. They got it running last week. The school will now be able to use the car for errands around town.

"I think it will be handy," said Dickman. "We have an elementary school about 12 miles out in the country. We can hop in the Geo and save some money for the school."