GHS Auto Tech Gets Electric Vehicle Up and Running
What started out as a dream project nearly 5 years ago to convert a fox body mustang to an electric vehicle has now become a reality for Georgetown High School (GHS) Automotive Technology instructors Kelley Mayo and Greg Wall.
“The mustang first came to us as a complete shell,” Mayo said. “We started connecting wires from scratch, with no kit or instructions to follow.”
Over time, with the support of the Georgetown ISD Education Foundation, Mayo and Wall were able to buy necessary parts to make the electric vehicle a reality. They collaborated with the GHS Eagle Innovation Center (EIC) to design and create other parts and bring it all together.
After many trials and tribulations — and a year of COVID delays — the vehicle successfully drove for the first time on November 2nd, 2022.
“This project has taken a lot of time, problem-solving, creative thinking and fixing,” Mayo said. “And the work will continue for years to come.”
“Cars are moving forward, and electric vehicles are part of our future,” Mayo said. “And if we, as educators, are not at the forefront of that, we are doing our students a disservice.”
What’s next?
There is still more work to do to get the electric vehicle where it needs to be. Through trial and error, Wall and Mayo have concluded that lead-acid batteries — which they are currently using — are not the most efficient, and are now looking into lithium-ion batteries. Mayo and Wall are hoping to make connections with the automotive industry in the their future next steps.
You’ll be able to see the car in action at GISD’s 2023 State of the District on March 2nd. Stay tuned for details!
