Electric Car Club is Zooming Into the Future

Electric car club members work on their latest model / via Zoe Fisher

Students across DC are looking toward the future and exploring ways to keep the Earth healthy. At School Without Walls, the electric car club allows students to explore sustainable technology, engineering, and teamwork, all while advocating for green energy solutions.

DCPS electric car clubs aim to combine hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education with real-world sustainability applications. As climate change awareness grows and the automotive industry transitions toward greener technologies, Anthony Mundle (’25) shared his opinion, stating, “These clubs are an opportunity to prepare students for careers in automotive construction and adjacent engineering fields.” He added, “This is the future of transportation, and it’s exciting to watch other students engage with these emerging technologies. We aren’t just learning; we’re actively contributing to solutions for real-world problems.”

Each June, electric car clubs from schools across the district line up their DIY cars to race. Their goal is to complete as many laps as possible in the shortest span of time. Students have the chance to put their hard work to the test in races, competing against other schools' electric vehicles. Hofmann shared an anecdote from last year's competition, saying, “The best part about the competition is seeing our ideas come to life.”

This year, the electric car club is building an entirely new car, drawing from previous experiences. Hofmann provided insight, stating, “This year we are building a brand new car out of carbon fiber. It’s a lot of fun, so we’re doing design, development, and building the whole thing.” Gideon added, “Once the car is finished, everyone gets a chance to drive it. The race is structured for driver swaps to make sure everybody gets that opportunity.”

This club is not limited to those interested in STEM; it also offers a chance for anyone to try something new. Hofmann continued, “We are open to anyone at any level of skill or experience…we just have fun, and you get to drive a car around, even if you're a freshman and have never driven a car in your life.”

Students interested in joining can attend meetings after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Room 127 and at the loading dock near Commons C.