Just been to an IET (UK version of the IEEE) lecture by the young chap who ran this:
Racing Green Endurance - Home
They basically took a Radical race car (not sure if you have these in the US?),
Home - Radical Sportscars
and replaced engine with Li batteries and 2 direct drive motors and drove the length of the Pan-American highway.
Whether you are a fan of EVs or not (Im not really), my guess is you guys would enjoy this too.
The series ran on BBC World last Jan, but there is a dvd its on my Christmas list! (and no the venture was nothing to do with me, im far too old, being in my late 40s)
RACING GREEN - 4 min Trailer on Vimeo
enjoy!