MINDDRIVE, Electrified Karmann Ghia to Visit EDTA Conference

WASHINGTON, June 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) and Hertz will welcome MINDDRIVE, a non-profit educational program that aims to teach STEM principles through hands-on learning techniques, at the upcoming 2013 EDTA Conference and Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. 

The students of MINDDRIVE restored and converted a 1967 Karmann Ghia into an electric car and recently embarked upon a multi-city tour funded through corporate sponsorships, including support from Hertz who is providing the MINDDRIVE team with vehicles from its Green Traveler Collection.

 The "MINDDRIVE Social Fuel Tour" left Kansas City, Mo. on May 31 and will stop in several cities before concluding their trip in our nation's capital.  A press conference with EDTA and Hertz to welcome the group is scheduled for Monday, June 10 at 10:00 a.m. at the Wardman Park Marriott, as leaders and experts from the electric drive supply chain convene in Washington, D.C.  The event will include the presentation of an award for innovation, a demonstration of the vehicle and recognition of the group's accomplishments.  Full details will follow in a media advisory.

While kicking off 2013 EDTA Conference, the event will wrap up the MINDDRIVE Social Fuel Tour, which takes education out of the classroom and on to the road. "MINDDRIVE provides students with a learning environment that is based on experiential learning projects that allow in-depth exercises and real-world application of math, science, technology, and environmental relationships," said Steve Rees, CEO of MINDDRIVE. "The mentors and instructors of MINDDRIVE offer the students an additional voice and role model in their lives. The program gives all of the students a foundation of confidence and an expanded vision of their future that allows them to have a sustainable life."

The car, converted to run on electricity, is also being powered by a novel tool designed to monitor and capture activity on the social media channels of MINDDRIVE and their sponsors.  An Arduino device triggers the motor to engage or not, depending on the level of social fuel, including:  follows on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; as well as likes, shares, comments and YouTube video views. For Twitter and Instagram, supporters use #minddrive and/or tag @minddriveorg.

Twenty students have participated in the program and the tour will stop at technology centers, college campuses, and environmental projects, such as a wind farm.  After meeting with their Members of Congress, the tour concludes at the EDTA Conference in Washington, D.C. which will bring together industry and government leaders to address the key electric drive issues of the day.

"MINDDRIVE has achieved a remarkable accomplishment in electrification and we're excited that they are able to help us kick off our conference and annual meeting," said EDTA President Brian Wynne.  "This program shows what is possible with innovation and ingenuity, in education as well as transportation."  

For more information on the history of MINDDRIVE, the Social Fuel Tour or experiential learning, visit: http://minddrive.org/connect/social-fuel-tour-2013/.    

For more information on the 2013 EDTA Conference, visit http://electricdrive.org/edtaconferenceorg/.

To learn more about Hertz's global sustainability efforts, visit www.hertzlivingjourney.com.

ABOUT EDTA
The Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) is the trade association promoting battery, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell electric drive technologies and infrastructure. EDTA conducts public policy advocacy, education, industry networking, and conferences. EDTA's membership includes vehicle and equipment manufacturers, energy companies, technology developers, component suppliers, and others. For more information about EDTA and its members, visit ElectricDrive.org.  For information about owning and operating electric vehicles, please visit GoElectricDrive.com.

ABOUT MINDDRIVE
MINDDRIVE'S mission is to inspire students to learn, expand their vision of the future, and to have a positive impact on urban workforce development. The program is funded through the national sponsorships of Bridgestone, Hertz Corporation, SONIC®, America's Drive-In®, ASME Foundation, and KCP&L as well as through local foundations and individual contributors.

MINDDRIVE serves 30 students from the urban core of Kansas City, currently working with 5 area schools; there are 21 students participating in Automotive Design Studio and 9 in Contemporary Communications. The students choose their course and also are given the freedom to align with the particular aspect of the project that gets them the most jazzed. Mentors play a significant role in finding what that spark is for each student, then figuring out a way to inspire them in that direction.

ABOUT SOCIAL FUEL TOUR SPONSORS
The Social Fuel Tour is supported by MINDDRIVE's corporate partners, including: Bridgestone Tires' ReThink Green campaign, The Hertz Corporation's Living Journey initiatives involving global sustainable mobility programs and its Green Traveler Collection. Additionally, SONIC®, America's Drive-In® offers support through its efforts to encourage learning through engaging activities. KCP&L supports the MINDDRIVE and the Social Fuel Tour in three areas: education of urban youth, stimulating innovation, and creating solutions for a more sustainable world. The ASME Foundation and the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Kansas City supports MINDDRIVE'S efforts to have a positive influence on urban workforce development, which is a shared value of the two organizations.

ABOUT THE HERTZ CORPORATION
Hertz operates its car rental business through the Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty brands from approximately 10,400 corporate, licensee and franchisee locations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and New Zealand. Hertz is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 8,800 corporate and licensee locations in approximately 150 countries.  Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 111 major airports in Europe. Dollar and Thrifty have approximately 1,580 corporate and franchisee locations in approximately 80 countries. Hertz is an inaugural member of Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards Hall of Fame and was recently named, for the thirteenth time, by the magazine's readers as the Best Car Rental Agency. Hertz was also voted the Best Overall Car Rental Company in Zagat's 2012/13 U.S. Car Rental Survey, earning top honors in 14 additional categories, and the Company swept the global awards for Best Rewards Program and Best Overall Benefits from FlyerTalk.com.  Product  and  service  initiatives such as Hertz Gold Plus  Rewards,  NeverLost®,  and unique cars and SUVs offered through the  Company's  Adrenaline,  Prestige and Green Traveler Collections, also  set  Hertz apart from the competition. Additionally, Hertz owns the vehicle leasing and fleet management leader Donlen Corporation and operates the Hertz On Demand car sharing business. The Company also owns a leading North American equipment rental business, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, which includes Hertz Entertainment Services.

To make car rental reservations or for more information, customers can call Hertz toll-free at 1-800-654-3131. Information and reservations are also available on the web at www.hertz.com.

SOURCE Electric Drive Transportation Association