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In the News

Wheels that are decidedly low-tech and environmentally friendly

Nick Turner of Leesburg loves cars but worries about the pollution they produce. So he brought together disparate parts to create a pedal car with a battery boost. People who see it love it, and he is pondering all kinds of improvements.

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Nick Turner, a mechanical-engineering major at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, takes what he calls the Tuhart B-2 for a drive in Leesburg. Turner, 21, designed and built the car, which weighs 250 pounds. He plans to add a shell and safety features and perhaps turn it into a marketable vehicle.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

The drivetrain and rear axle of Nick Turner's car. With the help of the battery, it can go 23 mph.

The drivetrain and rear axle of Nick Turner's car. With the help of the battery, it can go 23 mph.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Turner tries to stick to streets with little traffic. He can even go on sidewalks or bike trails. Wherever he takes the car, it attracts favorable attention from passersby.

Turner tries to stick to streets with little traffic. He can even go on sidewalks or bike trails. Wherever he takes the car, it attracts favorable attention from passersby.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

A piece of art resembling a motorcycle and made from scrap metal hangs on the wall of Turner's shop at home. He has always loved cars and tinkering with them. He fixed friends' rides when he was in high school.

A piece of art resembling a motorcycle and made from scrap metal hangs on the wall of Turner's shop at home. He has always loved cars and tinkering with them. He fixed friends' rides when he was in high school.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Turner shows how to use a welder at his shop. Among the raw materials for his car: a Honda Civic emergency brake, a girl's bike and lawn chairs from Home Depot.

Turner shows how to use a welder at his shop. Among the raw materials for his car: a Honda Civic emergency brake, a girl's bike and lawn chairs from Home Depot.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Three 12-volt batteries drive a motor that can get Turner's vehicle up to 23 mph.

Three 12-volt batteries drive a motor that can get Turner's vehicle up to 23 mph.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Turner has a lot of ideas for improving the vehicle. Here is a drawing of how it might eventually look.

Turner has a lot of ideas for improving the vehicle. Here is a drawing of how it might eventually look.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Turner in the shop where he put the car together.

Turner in the shop where he put the car together.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Turner changes the inner tube on one of the tires. The tires, he said, are a feature that needs an upgrade.

Turner changes the inner tube on one of the tires. The tires, he said, are a feature that needs an upgrade.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

This U-joint controls the steering of Turner's car.

This U-joint controls the steering of Turner's car.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Turner tops a hill in his car. Inclines test the muscle power of the driver.

Turner tops a hill in his car. Inclines test the muscle power of the driver.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Turner and his mother, Paula, push the car around the house to his shop.

Turner and his mother, Paula, push the car around the house to his shop.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

A disc brake is mounted on the rear axle.

A disc brake is mounted on the rear axle.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Turner and his mother take the vehicle for a spin.

Turner and his mother take the vehicle for a spin.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

Turner and his mother drive by a lake in Leesburg.

Turner and his mother drive by a lake in Leesburg.

Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post

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