In spring of 2018 Erin Cooper embarked on an ambitious senior project – to convert a 1996 Chevy S10 that we got for $300 to electric drive. She did the research, Riverdale bought us the parts, and we dug in.

The project was intimidating – most of the literature assumed a level of experience and knowledge that we did not have. Erin refused to be intimidated, exchanging many dozens of emails with parts suppliers and friendly experts. We got through challenges like needing to replace the clutch, breaking a motor plate, and having to compile information from about twenty different schematic diagrams.

By the time Erin graduated in June of 2018 the truck was about 75% done. It would take another spring and the help of several enthusiastic students to get Octavia running. 

The truck’s battery pack stores 20 kWh of energy (vs 75 kWh for the average Tesla). Top speed is about 60 mph and mixed-driving range is about 60 miles.