Student’s prize-winning video nets electric car for Rice

Student’s prize-winning video nets electric car for Rice

BY B.J. ALMOND
Rice News staff

Freshman Josh Rutenberg drove an electric car Tuesday for the first time. Although the car belongs to Rice, Rutenberg is the reason it’s here.

A three-minute video he entered in a contest for college students won the environmentally friendly car for Rice and a $1,000 cash prize scholarship for himself.

	JEFF FITLOW
	Freshman Josh Rutenberg entered a contest for college students and won the environmentally friendly car for Rice and a $1,000 cash prize scholarship for himself.

“It drives exactly like a gas-powered engine, but it’s very quiet,” Rutenberg said after taking the 2008 ZX40S Advanced Design car for a spin outside Rice Memorial Center as part of a news conference announcing the prize.

He entered the contest because of its relevance to two of his main interests — videography and the environment. California-based Miles Electric Vehicles Inc. sponsored the Miles Revolution/No Gas Required contest to engage students in discussions about alternative fuel options and the state of the environment.

For his video entry, Rutenberg interspersed images of cars and pollution with statements from the Electric Auto Association, the American Lung Association and the Environmental Protection Agency, such as “Driving a car is the single most polluting thing that most of us do.” He also used students’ testimonials about the benefits of electric cars and the harmful effects of gas-powered vehicles. The video has had more than 22,600 views on YouTube, where it’s posted with the other contest entries.

“It’s great to spread environmental awareness,” said the Lovett College environmental engineering major. “The environment is not just a political issue. It can be a health and safety issue as well. I hope we’ll be seeing more electric cars on the road.”

The ZX40S hatchback model that was donated to Rice can go from zero to 20 mph in less than 5 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 25 mph. After being fully charged on a standard 110V outlet for four to six hours, the car can travel an average range of 40 to 45 miles, according to Miles representative Ken See, who is also owner of EV Autos of Texas in Austin. The car runs on six 12-volt batteries that last about 25,000 miles. Its retail value is $18,900.

Richard Johnson, director of sustainability at Rice, noted that having an electric car on campus fits well with the university’s green efforts. “These cars have no tailpipe emissions, meaning cleaner air at Rice and in Houston,” he said. “From a global warming perspective, even when you include the emissions at the power plant from making the electricity, an electric car is still a much better environmental choice than a typical gas-powered car.

“The energy costs are about 60 percent less per mile, too. I’m excited that our students will be able to see and drive a car at Rice that represents a profoundly different view of our automotive future, one without oil, gasoline, exhaust systems, transmissions, tune-ups or trips to the gas station.”

Eugen Radulescu, director of Administrative Services at Rice, said the electric car will be used primarily by Rice Emergency Medical Services.

And how does Rutenberg plan to use his $1,000 prize?

“It’s already gone toward tuition,” he said. And in true acceptance-speech fashion, he added, “I couldn’t have made the video without the support of my family and friends at McNeil High School in Austin.”

To view Rutenberg’s prize-winning video (Entry 02), visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zLReKXm1QA&feature=channel_page.