DC EV Grand Prix set for National Harbor, June 8, 2013
First the Soap Box Derby, now a race by high school students using the technology of tomorrow. This Saturday, area students will compete in an electric vehicle version of the Grand Prix, the DC EV Grand Prix, at National Harbor. The youngsters have applied engineering, science and math principles to construct battery-powered EVs, and now theyre going to race them.
Participants in the race have called on a variety of skills, improving their understanding of renewable energy technologies and project management, and, of course, working in a team.
The EVs are single-person, lightweight electric-motor-driven vehicles with three wheels. Required to meet specific design and safety rules, they are powered by deep cycle lead acid battery packs weighing a maximum of 73 pounds (33 kg). Teams drive their vehicles as far as they can for an hour on a closed loop course using only energy stored in their batteries. The winner is the team that covers the longest distance in the hour.
For the June 8 race, technical qualifications will start at 9:00 am and race kickoff at 12:00 noon. For more information, click here.
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