Why a group of teenage girls described as 'hardcore car nuts' are converting a Range Rover into an electric vehicle

The year-long project started last month with students coming from four high schools in the region to work on the car at Bendigo South East College.

Already they have stripped the Range Rover body and are separating the body from the chassis. They will then refurbish the interior refurbish, install the charger system and re-wire the car. 

 Graeme Wiggins is running the program, to encourage more young women to take up STEM — science, technology, engineering, and maths - related careers.

"The Australian manufacturing industry currently employs over 900,000 people, with women making up 1 in 4 employees.

"We're trying to create an aspiration pathway for young women who are interested in engineering, advanced manufacturing and automotive careers.

"And the interesting thing about this group is half were already hardcore car nuts to begin with, who were already considering careers in automotive or engineering," said Mr Wiggins. 

The electric vehicle is expected to be completed by next year and will become a community asset.

"The car will be charged using solar power and all the money we make from renting the car, will go back into community enterprise for young people to develop their ideas and start-ups," he said. 

Sense of accomplishment

Bendigo South East College Year 9 student Jasmine Bramley had found the girls are adapting easily.

"It's quite simple. I've been surprised by how easy it is to learn."

"When I was 10 I would go into my dad's garage and watch him work on a car.

"Now I feel accomplished being part of it. We get to look at the future of cars and learning how it's made," she said.

There has also been some schoolyard envy from the boys.

"I have a friend who really wanted to do this and he is super sad that he didn't get to," said Jasmine.

While fellow year 9 student Charlotte Wigney said she jumped at the opportunity to find out more about electric cars.

"I guess in the future, by the time I get a car, we'll have to go electric to save the planet.

The Crusoe College student is enjoying the hands-on aspect of learning.

"I've learnt that cars don't all have the same size screws.

"I'm going home, showing my family what I've done and they're telling me, I'm so dirty, it's like I'm from Grease Lightning," she laughed.

Car donated

Retired communications technician resident Doug Peters donated the Range Rover after hearing about plans for the project.

"I felt it was a good car for the girls, because up to you can unbolt every panel on it," he said.

Mr Peters said he hopes the project will continue for years to come.

"I just enjoy seeing kids learning and not being on their phones and computer, actually physically doing things.

"They will learn a lot of patience, and a lot of mechanic things and how to unbolt things and put it back together," he added.

Students admit it is already inspiring their future careers.

"I actually would like to be a mechanic or engineer and think this is a really good experience to get into that.

"I really like it because it's the first step to a better planet," said year 7 student Neve Lawler.

Below | (Left) Year 9 students Jasmine Bramley and Charlotte Wigney say they are already learning lots about how electric cars work. (Right} Year 7 Neve Lawler said she is keen to follow a STEM-related career.

Story By | Sarah Lawrence