FAIRBANKS, Alaska — The University of Alaska Fairbanks Police Department is about to acquire a battery-powered ATV.

The four-wheeler was modified into an all-electric vehicle by mechanical engineering students.

Police Chief Sean McGee told The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner the conversion fits into the university’s effort toward sustainability.

Graduate engineering student Michael Golub and about a dozen students worked on the project that cost less than $5,000.

An electric motor uses a 45-volt lithium battery  pack to power the ATV. Calculations in the lab show the ATV will be able to go about 30 miles at 20 mph.

Some safety equipment needs to be installed before the ATV is turned over to police.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 at 4:56 am and is filed under News, battery news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.