---

Electric Vehicle International Challenge to Open Doors To Students

25 November 1997

First Ever Student Gathering Coincides with EVS-14; Electric Vehicle International Challenge to Open Doors To Students

    ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 25 -- When the movers and shakers of the
Electric Vehicle industry gather here in mid-December for their worldwide
symposium, the event will have a decidedly youthful flair, thanks to the first
ever EV International Challenge (EVIC), which will bring together students of
all ages for three days of excitement and discovery.  And a little
competition.
    This is EVS-14, a now-annual symposium, which has become the industry's
premier international event, and serves as a showcase for the world's leading
manufacturers and suppliers to introduce new products and technology.
    This time around the gathering will have an educational kick-off,
involving students from 15 elementary schools and a score of junior high
schools, along with teams from a baker's dozen high schools who will display
vehicles they have converted from internal combustion to electric power.  And
they'll compete with those vehicles to test acceleration and handling.
    "EVIC will provide an opportunity for students of all ages and from many
different backgrounds to match their skills against their peers, and to meet
the pioneers of this industry as they gather to compare notes and introduce
new products," said Robert Suggs, electric transportation manager for Florida
Power and Light Co.
    Co-sponsored by FP&L, Toyota Motor Sales USA and the United States
Department of Energy, EVIC will conclude on Sunday with an address by EV
pioneer Robert Stempel, former chairman and CEO of General Motors, and the man
credited with spurring the development of the EV1, GM's production electric
sports coupe.

    Thirteen high schools from three states are sending competition teams:
    Virginia: Central Shenandoah Valley Regional Governor's School,
Fishersville; Chantilly Academy, Chantilly; Fairfax High School, Fairfax;
Gloucester High School, Gloucester; George C. Marshall High School, Falls
Church; Lake Braddock Secondary School, Burke; and Richmond Technical Center,
Richmond.
    North Carolina: Harnett Central High School, Lillington; Northampton
County High School-East, Conway; Northeast High School, McLeansville; North
Johnson High School, Kenly and Union County Career Center, Monroe.
    Florida: Miramar High School, Miramar.

    EVIC begins on Friday afternoon, Dec. 12, with vehicle design competition
and display, continues Dec. 13 with driving competition, and concludes Sunday
afternoon, Dec. 14.  EVIC is managed by the Southern Coalition for Advanced
Transportation, an Atlanta-based consortium of manufacturers, suppliers,
academics and electric utilities supporting the expansion of the electric
vehicle industry in the Southeast.

SOURCE  Southern Coalition for Advanced Transportation