Norris Public Power District

Community :: Power Drive

Power Drive® is an interactive program that 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. The Norris District currently offers a $200 scholarship to schools who enroll in the program. Preliminary and state competitions are held each spring. 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 and problem solving

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.

Contact Andrea Schafer in the Norris Public Relations Department at (402) 223-4038 or by e-mail for more information.

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