Students convert car to electric

CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WPRI) - Two students at Mercy Mount Country Day School have converted a gasoline powered sedan into an electric car.

7th grader Patrick Collins came up with the idea last August. He noticed a book about electric cars on the desk of his science teacher, John Mongillo. "I asked him if I could do that for my science project, and he thought that would be a good idea," says Collins.

With help from his teacher and his classmate, Jarred Lorusso, the engine was removed from the Saturn. It was replaced with ten batteries. Now, you can't even hear the engine when its on.

At a cost of $.03 a mile, both students think electric cars make sense for everyone. "We can regain our independence through electricity and power we can make in our own country," Jarred says.

Parents, mechanics, and a grant all helped make this $10,000 project happen.

The car will be auctioned off this March.