Test Drive

One month later, the EV prototype was finally complete. The once-empty chassis had transformed into a sleek, fully functional vehicle equipped with air conditioning, a digital instrument cluster, and a polished infotainment system.

Matthew stood at the front of the car, clipboard in hand, going over the final checklist.

"Alright, team," he began, his tone serious but tinged with excitement. "Today's the day. The prototype is ready for its first test run. Let's go over the systems one last time."

The team gathered around. Samantha adjusted her ponytail and crossed her arms. "We've triple-checked everything already. Are you doubting our work?"

Matthew smirked. "Not doubting—just being thorough. We're not taking any chances."

He pointed at Saimon. "Battery pack?"

Saimon gave a thumbs-up. "Fully charged and stable. BMS is operational, and all modules are balanced."

"Good. Suspension and steering?" Matthew asked, turning to Leo.

"Smooth as butter," Leo replied confidently. "I even took it for a quick push in the space yesterday. No squeaks, no wobbles."

Matthew nodded, satisfied. "Interior electronics?"

Samantha stepped forward. "Infotainment system, instrument cluster, and air conditioning are fully functional. The custom software for the touchscreen is responsive, and all the wiring is secure."

Matthew tapped his clipboard with the pen. "Alright, everything checks out. Let's move it outside for the test drive. The problem is, who are going to drive it? I don't have a driver's license." 

"Same here," Leo added.

"I do have a driver's license but it's only for motorcycle," Saimon added as well.

"You guys are helpless," Samantha sighed as she grabbed her wallet from her bag and then pulled an ID showing her driver's license. She held it up for the team to see.

"I'll drive," Samantha declared. "At least one of us came prepared for real-world responsibilities."

"Well we don't have a car or a motorcycle, so it doesn't make sense to own one," Leo said, chuckling.

Matthew handed her the key fob. "Alright, Sergeant. It's all yours. Just... be gentle. This is our baby."

Samantha rolled her eyes but took the key fob, walking to the driver's side with purpose. The team watched as she slid into the driver's seat, adjusting it to her height. The dashboard lit up with a soft glow as she pressed the power button, and the car hummed to life.

The rest of the team piled in, with Leo calling shotgun and Saimon climbing into the backseat beside Matthew.

"Everyone buckled up?" Samantha asked, glancing at them in the rearview mirror.

"Yes, Mom," Leo quipped, earning a light smack on the shoulder from Samantha.

She put the car into drive, and with a smooth press of the accelerator, the EV rolled forward, gliding out of the storage space and onto the service road. The ride was so quiet that only the faint hum of the motor accompanied their progress.

"Wow," Saimon said, looking around. "It's like we're floating. No engine noise, no vibrations."

"That's the beauty of electric," Matthew replied, leaning forward slightly to watch the road. "How's it feel, Samantha?"

"Smooth," Samantha said, her hands steady on the wheel. "The steering is responsive, and the brakes are solid. Suspension's handling well too, even with the added weight."

As they turned onto a larger road, Samantha pressed the accelerator a bit harder, and the car responded immediately, picking up speed without hesitation. The digital instrument cluster displayed the speed in crisp, glowing numbers, and the battery level remained steady.

"Let's test the regenerative braking," Matthew suggested.

Samantha nodded, easing off the accelerator as they approached a stop sign. The car slowed smoothly, the braking system feeding energy back into the battery.

"Battery's recharging," Saimon observed, pointing at the display. "Nice."

Leo, fiddling with the infotainment system, let out a whistle. "This touchscreen is awesome. It's like having a tablet built into the car."

"Keep your eyes on the road," Samantha snapped, though her tone held a hint of amusement.

The team continued their test drive, running the car through various scenarios—turns, stops, accelerations, and even navigating a speed bump. Every component performed flawlessly, from the air conditioning keeping them cool to the digital cluster displaying real-time data.

Just as Samantha was about to turn onto a busier road, the faint whine of a motorcycle engine grew louder behind them. The team turned their heads to see an MMDA officer signaling for them to pull over. Samantha frowned but complied, steering the EV to the side of the road and rolling down her window.

The officer, a middle-aged man with a no-nonsense expression, dismounted his motorcycle and walked up to the driver's side. He gave the car a once-over, his brow furrowing.

"Good afternoon. Can I see the car's registration, plate number, or at least the conduction sticker?"

Samantha stiffened, and the rest of the team exchanged nervous glances. Matthew leaned forward from the backseat, trying to keep his voice calm. "Officer, this is a prototype vehicle. It's part of our school project, and we're still in the testing phase. It hasn't been registered yet."

The officer raised an eyebrow and clicked his tongue in disapproval. "No plates, no conduction sticker, and no registration? That's illegal. Where's your certification to operate a prototype vehicle on public roads?"

Samantha opened her mouth to respond but hesitated, realizing they had nothing to show. They hadn't anticipated this scenario. 

Matthew quickly chimed in, "Sir, we don't have any paperwork yet because this is our first test run. It's not a commercial vehicle—it's purely for research and development."

The officer crossed his arms, his expression unyielding. "Look, I don't care if it's for school or research. Rules are rules. No certification means you shouldn't be driving this on public roads. This car is getting towed."

"Towed?!" Leo blurted out from the passenger seat, his face pale. "Sir, please, you can't do that! This is a one-of-a-kind prototype. If it gets towed, we might not even get it back in one piece!"

Saimon leaned forward, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "Officer, please. We understand the rules, but towing this car could ruin months of hard work. Can't we settle this some other way?"

The officer sighed, clearly unimpressed. "Look, I get that you're students, but this isn't just about you. Driving an unregistered vehicle is a safety issue—for you and everyone else on the road. If I let you go, it sets a bad example. But if you don't want this car to get towed, there are other ways."

"Ways like?" Matthew inquired.

The officer glanced around, lowering his voice slightly. "Well, let's just say if you're willing to show a little appreciation, we can make this problem go away. It's on her, though," he said, nodding toward Samantha.

Samantha's expression remained icy, her hands tightening on the steering wheel. She took a deep breath and asked, "How much?"

She reached for her wallet, pulling out two crisp thousand-peso bills and handing them over to the officer without a word.

The officer folded the money and tucked it into his pocket. "Alright, you're good to go, but remember, next time, have your paperwork in order. I won't be so generous if I catch you again."

"Understood, sir," Samantha replied curtly, her tone making it clear she was done with the conversation.

The officer nodded and stepped back, waving them on. Samantha put the car into drive and eased back onto the road. 

"We have to get this car registered," Samantha said.