Student drivers from Florida high schools and colleges compete in last year's Electrathon race at Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Downtown campus. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
Published on April 4, 2025 at 10:52 am
Free local news and info, in your inbox at 6 a.m. M-F. Sign up for the Jacksonville Today newsletter.
High school and college students from all over the state will return to Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Downtown campus on Saturday to battle in electric race cars.
The Electrathon series pits student-built cars against each other on a twisting course at the school’s Automotive Technology Department at 401 W. State St.
Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.
Partnering with Electrathon of Florida, the first race is at 10 a.m. and the second at 1 p.m.
It is a great, growing sport for Florida high school and college students, says Robert Wechsler, FSCJ Automotive Technology professor and race team leader.
“A lot of big companies have gotten involved and thrown a little bit of money into this sport,” he said. “I just came from Pensacola last week, where there were almost 50 cars in the race. There will be another one down in Miami next week.”
Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.
The racing series started in 1980 as a fun way to educate students about electric cars through hands-on design, fabrication and competition. The 13-race series races at real tracks like Homestead and Daytona International Speedway, as well as high school and technical college courses from Miami to Tampa.
Florida Power & Light Co. “has been providing most of the local high schools around the state with kits that the school and students actually build from,” Wechsler said. “Some of the bigger schools, like FSCJ — we built our own cars from scratch.”
The 160-pound, single-seat race cars can hit 60 mph, powered by two lead-acid or lithium-Ion batteries.
A classic and hot rod car show is part of the FSCJ event, set for 9 a.m. to noon at the school. It is free for spectators and $20 to display a vehicle.
For more statewide race information, go to electrathonofflorida.org.
