The Power Drive program gives high school students hands-on experience building a safe, energy-efficient electric vehicle. More than 50 teams are designing and building electric-powered vehicles during the school year. After building their vehicles, student drivers test their creations against other teams in several categories. Several preliminary competitions will be held this Spring, prior to the state finals. The student-built vehicles are tested for braking ability, endurance, maneuverability and overall design/construction.

Through Power Drive, vocational and science students learn:

• practical application of math and science skills
• automotive design, engineering and construction
• industrial, electrical and mechanical skills
• electric vehicle history and current technology
• teamwork, problem solving and fun

Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) began offering the Power Drive program to high schools in its service territory in 1998. Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) became a partner in 1999 and began encouraging schools in the central and western parts of the state to participate. In addition to high schools, several Nebraska colleges have developed Power Drive teams who compete in the Exhibition Class. Programs similar to Power Drive are currently operating in 28 states.