Students gearing up for Eco Car contest

TERRE HAUTE,Ind. (WTHI) - Maybe you've seen it cruise by you in camouflage and with more sponsors than a NASCAR stock car. It's the Rose Hulman eco car, designed right here in Terre Haute.

Students like Chad Conway, began building the car three years ago in preparation for this summer's national Eco Car competition. In fact, It’s the reason Chad came to Rose Hulman.

"I really tried to find schools that had automotive programs where I could work on cars and primarily I really wanted to work on electric and hybrid vehicles,” Conway said.

And Chad's not alone. More than thirty other students are on the Eco Car team. Each came to Rose Hulman with the same goal, creating an energy efficient car. And that's exactly what they're doing.

"There's a good ten people that are here almost every day and night weekend hour of their free time. Just to get this car working,” Conway went on to say.

The eco car's engine runs on very little gas and is environmentally friendly. It's even got the attention of Terre Haute's mayor, who took a ride in the car Saturday

"This is the place where they can carry out something, an idea or a program they wanna be a part of, its at Rose- Hulman," mayor Duke Bennett said.

The technology the students create could change the face of the automobile industry.

Meanwhile, as Chad continues working, he says the car is rapidly picking up even more attention.

"I was contacted last year by a few prospective students that were asking about the competition, the team, whether you can get on it as a freshman,” Conway said.

Come June the team should have the car rolling and on only a little gas.