Mobile Magazine » Guinness Book of World Records

Lightweight Electric Vehicle Sets World Land Speed Record at 155.8 mph

Radu Tyrsina — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 09:57:04 +0000

A new lightweight electric car has won over the title of the “fastest car” in their class. Electric Blue, the name of the EV, is the work of over 130 students over a 7 year period. The group of Brigham Young University engineering students have managed to build an electric car to set the world land speed record, averaging 155.8 mph over the two required qualifying runs, one of which they even reached 175 mph.

The students have been a part of this project over the last seven years under Professor Perry Carter’s supervising hand. “This is like Christmas morning,” said a former student captain on the project who went to witness the record-setting runs.

The car, a streamliner (long, slender shape), was custom-built by the students. The body is made out of lightweight carbon fiber, while lithium iron phosphate batteries power the car and helps it reach the high speeds. Electric Blue competes in the E1 class, which includes cars weighing less than 1,100 pounds.

Professor Carter from BYU has only just retired, and declared that the world record set by his latest project is “a wonderful closure for 31 years of teaching”.

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Better than a sweet sixteen: High schoolers build world’s most efficient electric car

Nikki Heeren — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 02:47:02 +0000

If you thought getting asked to prom was exciting, try setting the world record for most efficient electric car before you can even drive. Students from DeLaSalle High School in Kansas City are awaiting confirmation from the Guinness Book of World Records that a vehicle they built for a class project sets a new world record for fuel efficiency.

Working with engineers from Bridgestone America, the students designed an electric vehicle that is inspired by the 2000 Lola Indy and gets a 300mpg equivalent. The single-seater weighs less than 1,500 pounds and is therefore half the weight of 98% of other EVs out there. It uses its light-weight frame, electric propulsion system, and high-efficiency Ecopia EP100 tires to cruise at commuter speeds with zero emissions. The

The DeLaSalle students are already planning to beat their own record by increasing the aerodynamics of their design and developing an electric motor with even higher efficiency. Maybe if they continue on this track, they won’t have to pay a dime in gas for next year’s limo ride.

DeLaSalle School

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