Penn Solar Racing has now become Penn Electric Race Team.

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Penn Electric Race Team is a student-run non-profit organization created with the vision of designing, building and racing an alternative energy car. Since the program’s inception almost two decades ago, it has evolved into a diverse group of students whose purpose has expanded to being much more than a student-centered organization.

The 2006-2007 team has just begun designing our 8th electric vehicle, with high performance as the primary goal. Upon completion, this car is expected to hit 60 mph in under 7 seconds, making it the fastest vehicle our team has ever built.

What happened to Penn Solar Racing?

Nothing.  Well, not exactly nothing.  Last semester the team decided to update our mission to incorporate energy sources in addition to solar power.  This includes fuel cell technology, hybrid-gas electric and pure battery power.  The purpose of the North American Solar Challenge and World Solar Challenge is to demonstrate that solar energy is a viable source of power.  We mean, it's good enough to propel a one-person vehicle for thousands of miles, so why can't we put this energy to use? 

To date, the solar racing rules and regulations have resulted in vehicles that maximize efficiency at highway speeds.  What about acceleration, road handling, multiple passengers and your groceries?  We'll, after nineteen years and seven solar cars later, we believe it is time to address these challenges. 

In May 2006, Penn Solar Racing became Penn Electric Racing with the purpose of engineering an innovative and unique electric vehicle.  We'll participate in drag racing events sponsored by the National Electric Drag Racing Association, practicality events sponsored by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (Tour de Sol) and our own annual Summer Illumination Education Tour. 

Electric vehicles today are slow and impractical.  Let's change that.  Ultimately, it is our vision that the primary fuel source of tomorrow will come from clean, renewable energies.