The E-Celerator Brings Tesla to Campus

Photo by Elizabeth Michniak

Whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, Tesla has taken society by storm–and on Wednesday, Oct. 2, the company paid a visit to Elmhurst University to give students the chance to take the most popular models for a test drive.

Before that, though, students attended a ‘Tesla Tech Innovation Talk’ in EU’s E-Celerator lounge. The talk was presented by Zak Berta and Toni Palumbo, two of the company’s managers.

In the talk, Berta and Palumbo discussed the company’s mission of “accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy through increasingly affordable electric vehicles in addition to renewable energy generation and storage,” and their continued efforts to promote sustainability through creating solar energy and using clean energy batteries in their vehicles.

Throughout the talk, students were encouraged to ask questions–and at the end, the Tesla representatives moderated a quiz and distributed Tesla ‘swag bags’ with mugs and hats to students who correctly answered questions.

Erica Johnson, Graduate Assistant for the WCPE and E-Celerator appreciated having the chance to learn more about Tesla.

“It was a really cool opportunity to kind of experience innovation, as well as to understand all of the opportunities and benefits that the E-Celerator has to offer for students,” Johnson said of her experience.

When the test driving began, students had the opportunity to choose between the Model 3, a sedan-type vehicle, and the Model Y, a smaller SUV. The company brought the famed Cybertruck with them for students to take a look at as well, though this model wasn’t an option for students to test drive.

That honor was reserved for EU President, Troy VanAken, who chauffeured a select few students around in the vehicle.

“I’ve never driven a Cybertruck before,” VanAken marveled. “What a cool feat of engineering.”

As he drove, he went on to discuss his thoughts on the company coming to campus and allowing students the opportunity to test drive.

“We’re trying to help students experience the world that’s going to await them after they graduate, and what’s going to be in the future,” said VanAken. “And I do think electric vehicles are going to be a big part of the future.”

Addressing the controversy around electric vehicles, VanAken impressed upon the environmental advantages that, in his opinion, outweigh the negatives.

“I think if we can sort out just a little more of the battery technology, the recharging technology, even become a little bit more environmentally friendly in the battery manufacturing. I think we’re really going to bend the curve with regard to some things environmentally in the world.”