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Auburn High students unveil electric car

Gov. Bob Riley introduces himself to AHS student Dustin Burroughs during the premier of Auburn High's new electric car, a street-legal automobile built by members of Byron Williams Industrial Mechanics and Pneumatics class with sponsorship from Alabama Power. The car plugs into standard household current, can travel over 30 miles on a charge and can reach speeds of about 50 miles per hour.

By Donathan Prater Staff Writer
Published: May 05, 2009

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A who’s who list of dignitaries including Gov. Bob Riley, turned out Monday for the unveiling of the state’s first student-constructed electric vehicle (EV) at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce.

The BugE, a three-wheeled, semi-enclosed, single-passenger cycle-car, is the culmination of course work for 48 students from Auburn High School’s Industrial Systems Technology program during the course of two semesters. It is DOT-approved.

“Alabama Power, The City of Auburn Economic Development Department, Auburn City Schools and industrial leaders in the community started this course in 2003 in our high school,” Auburn City Schools Superintendent Dr. Terry Jenkins said.

The BugE, created by a company called Blue Sky Design, weighs about 450 pounds, will go 30 miles on a full charge of its four M34 batteries and can reach a top speed of about 50 miles per hour.

The BugE electric car was completely assembled from a purchased kit and can be charged by simply plugging a cord from its on-board charger into a standard outlet, AHS Industrial Systems Technology instructor Byron Williams said.

“Students learned the mechanical aspects of assembly, installed the car’s electrical wiring and hydraulic systems,” Williams said.

Jenkins hopes the lessons AHS’s students learn today in their Industrial Systems Technology program translate into producing a more skilled workforce tomorrow.

“When students complete this program, if they don’t opt to go on to college, they’re able to go right into good-paying jobs depending on the area they specialize in and have successful careers,” Jenkins said. “For those who do enter the work field right away, they may have the option of earning a degree from the university while they work.”