How Prove Lab is attempting to break a world record
Prove Labs is a student-run organization on Cal Poly’s campus, with many different facets. Their aeroshell, mechanical, manufacturing and business sides of their club have been growing in anticipation of an important drive.
The club is attempting to break the world record for most miles driven on one charge, which will be powered by a battery pack comprising over 7 thousand lithium-ion cells according to their website.
Political science senior and business lead, Catelyn Ellutzi explains her experience in the club.
“Prove is a really unique experience for someone who doesn’t come from an engineering background.” Ellutzi said. “I heard about a business team that was growing so I decided to dip my toes in the water. It’s [a] really good experience in that area of learning to communicate with people who have a different background or different educational experience than you do.”
Prove also has a team of engineers that put together and test every different aspect of this vehicle through a hands-on approach.
Many pieces need to be cut in the manufacturing garage for this project, giving students the chance to learn different expertise like hard skills from using the machinery and soft skills in designing the programs to cut properly.
As well as critical thinking toward the composition of the vehicle and taking in all aspects like the batteries’ weight, the weight of the driver, traction on the wheels and more.
Mechanical engineering senior and manufacturing and parts integration lead, Remy Lacchia dedicated almost his time at Cal Poly to the building of this car.
“Kind of the intangible stuff is what you don’t get in classes and you just have to be thrown into the fire to experience.” Lacchia said. “And then on top of that also…working in a team, and ownership that’s something that we talk about a lot. Being a part of the process, design, build, integrate, and then test.”
The club’s goal is not only to prove that electric vehicles can outperform internal combustion cars, but that they are an accessible choice for everyone.
“We want the range of our electric vehicles to be a calling for change throughout the world that we don’t just want electric vehicles for the future but we need them.” Lacchia said “That’s kind of what makes our club different. Our goal is to create a luxury supercar. Nice interior, drives like a regular car, looks like a regular car. Basically if we achieve our goal you could take this car and mass produce it, and it would be the next big thing, hopefully”
Prove is planning on racing their car to beat the record in the Summer 2024.
For more information, visit their website.
