As part of converting a gas-powered truck to an electric one, Joliet Junior College automotive students, under their instructor Curt Ward installed a 9-inch electric DC motor. SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Under the hood of the gas-powered truck Joliet Junior College automotive students converted from gas to electric.

The charging device for the electric truck Joliet Junior College automotive students converted from a gas-powered one.

Associate professor Curt Ward (second from right) and automotive service technology students (from left to right) Tiffany Greminger, Michael Johnstone, Beau Johnson, Francisco Sanantonio and Tom James look at the fuse box on a 1994 Toyota T100 pickup truck that was converted to electric power by 2012 Spring semester students in the C building at Joliet Junior College Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, at 1215 Houbolt Rd. in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Associate professor Curt Ward (top left) talks about how automotive service technology students from the 2012 Spring semester converted a 1994 Toyota T100 pickup truck to electric power as 24, 6-volt lead acid batteries can be seen in the bed of the truck in the C building at Joliet Junior College Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, at 1215 Houbolt Rd. in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

The engine compartment houses the controller and support pieces (above) and nine inch direct current motor (below) in a 1994 Toyota T100 pickup truck that was converted to electric power by 2012 Spring semester automotive service technology students as seen in the C building at Joliet Junior College Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, at 1215 Houbolt Rd. in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Associate professor Curt Ward (center) talks about how automotive service technology students from the 2012 Spring semester converted a 1994 Toyota T100 pickup truck to electric power as current students Tiffany Greminger (left) and Michael Johnstone (right) listen in the C building at Joliet Junior College Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, at 1215 Houbolt Rd. in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Associate professor Curt Ward (far right) talks about how much it costs to charge the 1994 Toyota T100 pickup truck that was converted to electric power by 2012 Spring semester automotive service technology students as current students listen in the C building at Joliet Junior College Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, at 1215 Houbolt Rd. in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media

Curt Ward is the associate professor for automotive service technology at Joliet Junior College as seen Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, at 1215 Houbolt Rd. in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media