Due to increased demand for environmentally friendly solutions, the Automotive Technology students have been focusing on converting a 1989 Mazda 4X4 pick-up truck from an internal combustion engine to a completely electrical 120 volt vehicle. The truck was donated to the school this year and serves as a perfect platform for an EV (electric vehicle) conversion.
The project is headed by the students in Mr. Jenkins’ Automotive Technology class and will involve the assistance of students from Mr. Erle, Mr. Dillon (automotive), Mr. Stamper (collision repair) and Mr. Consorto (Building Trades). The idea is that the vehicle will move from class to class throughout the various stages of the build. The students in Mr. Stamper’s Collision Repair class will be responsible for painting the vehicle wiht an environmentally friendly water borne basecoat and the students in Mr. Consorto’s Building Trades class will be constructing a solar powered charger for the vehicle.
The build was started in January of 2010 and the hopes are that it will be completed by Spring of 2011. Once completed the students at DCTS in Folcroft will have been responsible for modifying a gasoline powered vehicle into a completely electronic vehicle that is dependent solely on the charger that is powered by the sun.
Delaware County Intermediate Unit.