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RALEIGH -- North Carolina State's eco-car isn't highway ready yet, but the team that built it has come a long way since last October when they received a donated car from General Motors.

"We took everything out of it," said senior Rylan Eschelman. "We basically gutted it down to its frame and redesigned all the systems and replaced them all."

The car is designed to run on five lithium-ion batteries that can power the vehicle for about 60 miles. There's a biodiesel generator that will charge the batteries during a longer drive. That means the car could travel 360 miles without having to refuel or recharge.

The car also has a charger port where it can be plugged in to charge. N.C. State is one of 16 university teams across North America competing in the three-year EcoCAR Challenge. The competition encourages today's engineering students to design tomorrow's green vehicles.

"I am amazed and thrilled because these young people designed these systems, many of the systems themselves," said Pat Sobrero, the associate vice chancellor for extension, engagement and economic development. "The fact that they use their education for something very practical and very cutting edge to make an electric car that can run 365 miles is amazing and it's worth celebrating."

N.C. State's car will be put through its paces at the national competition in Arizona next month. Their vehicle will undergo the same engineering tests used by car manufacturers. The team will then spend the next year fine-tuning their creation to make it more consumer friendly. Eschelman said he's already feeling a sense of accomplishment.

"Seeing your ideas being created and working and coming to fruition is really gratifying," he said.