New World Record For Electric Car Speed: 204.2 MPH 99
Dupple writes with this excerpt from the BBC: "Drayson Racing Technologies has broken the world land speed record for a lightweight electric car. Its Lola B12 69/EV vehicle hit a top speed of 204.2mph (328.6km/h) at a racetrack at RAF Elvington in Yorkshire. ... The previous 175mph record was set by Battery Box General Electric in 1974. Drayson Racing is not the only electric vehicle-maker hoping to use motorsport to spur on adoption of the technology. Last week Nissan unveiled the Zeod RC (Zero Emission On Demand Racing Car), which can switch between electric and petrol power. The firm intends to enter the vehicle into next year's Le Mans 24 race saying the competition would act as a 'challenging test bed' for technologies that could eventually find their way into road cars." This video from last year introduces the Lola; Drayson's YouTube channel has plenty more footage, too.
Re: (Score:3)
The TGV doesn't have to carry it's own power source.
Re: (Score:1, Informative)
these cars can have a small battery
In other words every car needs to carry in own power source.
Re:202 ? (Score:5, Funny)
I dare you to take out the battery in your car.
I did. We went to dinner and a movie.
What happened afterwards is too shocking to tell.
Re: (Score:1)
When I was young and poor I had my car's battery die and had to wait for my paycheck to clear before I could afford a new one. I had to push start my car for a couple of days, parking it on hills and such.
Though it wasn't that big a deal, really.
Thank the FSM it had a manual transmission.
Re: (Score:1)
Re: (Score:3)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bus [wikipedia.org]
I'll let you figure out why we haven't replaced personal vehicles with these.
Re: (Score:3)
Slightly off-topic..
Between people's desire for individual freedom, lack of a proper transit network, and the popular opinion that buses are not something you want to be found on for cited security and hygiene reasons, at least people in DC don't seem to need much of another reason.
Which is a shame, really, and here's why.
I'll be visiting DC (IAD, technically in VA) and have to go to, say, Charlotte Hall in MD.
Cab: $150
SuperShuttle: $160 (no longer does shared rides that far south)
SupremeAirportShuttle (sha
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
The record is for an electric car under 1000 kg.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/113062659310/drayson-racing-breaks-world-speed-record-for-a-lightweight
A TGV is not lightweight by any imagination.
Re: (Score:2)
That's not fast. the tgv has already done 574 kph. (360mph) Electric engines are capable of MUCH more.
Yes, but electric motors can do even more.
Nope (Score:5, Funny)
Can't drive for 8 hours without a recharge, can't charge in less than 500 microseconds, doesn't cost less than the shittiest Ford = piece of shit.
Re: (Score:1)
Yes, let's go for a long cross country journey in a drag racer
OH WAIT that would be RIDICULOUS
Re: (Score:2)
Yes, let's go for a long cross country journey in a drag racer
OH WAIT that would be RIDICULOUS
That's not a drag car, this [plasmaboyracing.com] is a drag car.
FYI, drag racers are operated on 1/4 mile strips, not full-on racing tracks.
Re:Nope (Score:4, Interesting)
There is currently no gas driven car with emissions so low that they are long term viable in large cities.
I don't get this at all, in what way? Viable according to whose standards? in what way? I mean, cars nowadays pretty much only output CO2, which is the same thing we output.
Also, cars are bigger than people, we won't be able to fit enough cars into a dense enough city space to make them unviable in that sense.
We also have to start manufacturing new oil soon, do you have a solution for that?
You can manufacture as much oil as you like, we've done it for a long time, the problem is that it is expensive compared to what you can get out of the ground, that it is limited to specialty areas (e.g. synthetic car oil). For Fuel we can manufacture hydrocarbons, although not (yet) in the amounts necessary to totally replace what is drilled out world wide.
In Europe, fuel costs are so high (due to taxes) that they are almost reaching parity with manufactured fuel in cost, which I suspect may well be the long term politicians goal (i.e. they can switch us all over and it would not cause a massive price shock).
In fact, from the point of view of alternatives, I still think *biofuels are better than EV, at least in the short/medium term. Batteries wear out quickly, are expensive, and have no reached density parity with chemical fuels.
Of course, you don't have to burn said fuels, perhaps fuel cells with electric traction would be the most efficient.
*I don't mean the ass-backwards thing in the US where you use corn to make fuel, but sugar cane, algae, grasses, hemp and others, which are far better suited to this without affecting the food supply.
Re: (Score:3)
Except for the massive price shock in terms of how much less money the government would collect without that tax in place...
Re: (Score:2)
I've got a decent job and can afford the gas. So many people seem to forget that cars should also be FUN too....
Re: (Score:2)
I'd love to take one of those beasts and put an electric engine in it. Or better yet something truly anachronistic like a late model Silver Ghost and trick it out with all the latest high tech gadgets.
Re: (Score:1)
I'd love to take one of those beasts and put an electric engine in it. Or better yet something truly anachronistic like a late model Silver Ghost and trick it out with all the latest high tech gadgets.
http://www.lincvolt.com/ [lincvolt.com] Neil Young's big electric cruiser...
Re: (Score:2)
You know, you could just get as much output or more out of an LS4 or something like that. It would cost you more, but you'd be able to pass a gas station.
Re: (Score:2)
Yeah, but there's something to be said about nostaltic. And I always wanted one as a teen like a friend had.....
I'd thought about getting a high end camaro, but while you do get performance, they all look so alike, and everyone and their goat has a new camaro.
And old '75-'76 TA 455 4-speed is a bit of a head turner. And with a few mods, the suspension
Re: (Score:3)
Except for the massive price shock in terms of how much less money the government would collect without that tax in place...
They worked that one out already, GPS tracking and black-boxes in every car, and you get get charged per mile driven. So once they switch us over we will just get taxed based on how far we drive.
They are already rolling out the above, by mandating all new cars from 2013 have said black boxes in them, with permanent internet connection.
Not that I like the idea, I find it abhorrent (I'd rather they just checked the odometer every year and charge you based on the difference traveled since the last measurement)
Re: (Score:2)
Also, cars are bigger than people, we won't be able to fit enough cars into a dense enough city space to make them unviable in that sense.
Ever tried to park? Parking spaces sell for big bucks now, even without a house attached.
Re: (Score:2)
There is currently no gas driven car with emissions so low that they are long term viable in large cities.
We also have to start manufacturing new oil soon, do you have a solution for that?
Yes, the current EV might be considered pretty shitty, but the alternatives are even worse.
it's plenty viable since it's been in use for a long time.. though of course in really big cities nobody drives because there's so much traffic - electric cars or not. soon has been soon for a long while.. depending who you ask from. for the short term future the only reason to manufacture oil from say, coal(because that's economical) is if your country is cut off from any oil selling nations and you don't have any oil of your own.
What I want to know is what made it necessary to go to these great lengths to
Re: (Score:1)
Weight class and type. Set the speed record for that particular class, but no mention of that here. There are faster electric cars.
Buckeye Bullet [wikipedia.org] still has a good 100MPH on it, but that Boneville Flats racer tends to stretch the definition of "car" more than something styled after a LeMans prototype racer.
As for designing the Drayson as a track car? It's much more streetable than something built specifically to go fast in a straight line. You could take a hard turn in it around 30+ MPH and not worry about i
Re: (Score:2)
"in really big cities nobody drives because there's so much traffic".
Have you actually thought about that statement? If no one drives, what exactly is all that traffic? Or do you believe that there are millions of driverless cars wandering around on the streets out there?
Top recorded speed of a Nissan GTR: 195 mph (Nissan estimates 193 mph top speed). Top speed of a Lotus Elise: 148 mph. Also, note the phrase "The firm intends to enter the vehicle into next year's Le Mans 24 race" in the summary.
Re: (Score:2)
To the moron who modded me flaimbait: I was joking, parodying the typical Slashdot reaction to any electric vehicle. I'm actually a big fan of them.
Re:Nope (Score:4, Insightful)
It would make sense if it wasn't so stupid.
What is "it"? Being a fan of electric vehicles? One can be a fan by recognising their potential, while still recognising their (current) shortcomings. If we all took your attitude to emerging technology we'd still be living in caves and cleaning our teeth with chewed sticks.
Re: (Score:2)
I normally drive about 30 miles a day {all in town} in a gas car which sits in the garage at home for 12 hours a night an electric cars range and recharge time would not be a major problem for me. Sure there are rare occasions where I actually drive more than 80 miles in a day once maybe twice a year. Since mine is a two car family there is no reason I couldn't have a hybrid and an all electric car, or just rent a car for those long trip days.
I don't care about 202MPH. (Score:1, Troll)
I need 303 miles of range from a EV the same size and cost as a minivan.
They don't care that you don't care (Score:2, Insightful)
They're not trying to sell you this car. It's a proof of concept whose purpose is to dispel the myth that electric cars can't be made to perform well.
Re: (Score:2)
I thought Tesla already proved that? At least they did in my mind. 0-60, 300 mile range, only $100,00. Far out of my price range, but I if I was in the market for a Porsche or Lambo, I'd consider the Tesla.
Re: (Score:3)
The Model S does NOT compete against a porsche or lambo (though interestingly, the performance version can take them on). It competes against full size Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Lexus, Mercedes, etc.
Re: (Score:3)
I don't think their performance was ever challenged. I mean, their torque curve alone shows that it would be faster off the mark then a IC car of the same curb weight.
Everything I've gathered about EV's not performing well had little to do with performance, but more to do with energy density, recharge time, exotic materials, and the fact the batteries wear out a lot faster than a fuel tank.
(incidentally, all of the above (minus exotic materials) would be solved by using fuel cells in an EV car, if they can
Re: (Score:2)
(incidentally, all of the above (minus exotic materials) would be solved by using fuel cells in an EV car, if they can get them to not gunk up after a while and bring down the cost).
My impression of fuel cells is that they aren't very energy efficient when you take into consideration the energy required to make them and/or the electrolyte they use. They are just compact and light weight for special applications, such as near earth space craft. For example, the energy required to produce the hydrogen needed for a hydrogen fuel cell, usually by breaking bonds in H2O, is much greater than the energy you get out of the fuel cell in using that hydrogen. It's more efficient to just directl
Re: (Score:2)
My impression of fuel cells is that they aren't very energy efficient when you take into consideration the energy required to make them and/or the electrolyte they use
And how much energy is required to make the batteries for an EV? Will not even include the energy required to produce all the advanced electronics for the thing to work (because a fuel cell EV car will need those too). Also, take into account that unlike a normal car, fixing the above will be pretty much impossible unless you are a specialist, and will probably involve just replacing things when they break (compared to a normal car, where any decently specced garage/machine shop can pretty much produce any
The Lola? (Score:4, Funny)
Something something how can a car without a tranny be a Lola?
(yeah I know electric cars have a transmission but they don't have a gearbox, which is what most people refer to as transmission)
Re: (Score:2)
yeah I know electric cars have a transmission
NOT necessary: you can mount each wheel with its own motor.
Re: (Score:1)
Now I can't get the damn song outta my head...
Re: (Score:1)
According to the song, something else is completely over his head, too.
I walked to the door
I fell to the floor
I got down on my knees
I looked at her and she at me
And that's the way that I want it to be
I always want to be that way for my Lola
Lo lo lo lo lo lo Lola
Re: (Score:1)
Something something how can a car without a tranny be a Lola?
I though most people named Lola were trannies.
Re: (Score:2)
Can't wait... (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Tesla already has prototypes for swapping batteries out in less than 2 minutes.
Still too long for a pit stop, but they already use specialized equipment there to refuel quickly (compared to gas stations) so something similar for electric cars isn't unfathomable if the actually catch on in this type of environment.
Re: (Score:1)
Tesla already has prototypes for swapping batteries out in less than 2 minutes.
How long does it take when you get to the battery station in Nowheresville and they've run out of batteries?
Re: (Score:1)
What happens when you get to a gas station in Nowheresville and they've run out of gas?
Also, you trade batteries, they never "run out". Though potentially you'd end up getting batteries that have less than a full charge (and all they have to do to fix that is to have more batteries spare for swapping as demand increases).
Re: (Score:1)
Much, much less time than it takes to refuel when you get to the gas station in Nowheresville and they've run out of gas. You just plug the car in and wait 3 hours, instead of waiting 24 hours for the next tanker truck, oh wait! It's Saturday. 48 hours no gas for you.
I can also make up other ridiculous scenarios that cou
Re: (Score:2)
Just to be clear - the capability is present in every Model S. If by prototype, you mean the machine that does the battery swap, then I agree that's correct.
However, Better Place, notwithstanding their bankruptcy, has been doing battery swap for a while and Tesla's tech seems scarcely any different.
Re: (Score:2, Informative)
Le Mans pitstops are usually around 55 / 60 seconds for just refueling stop, and around 80 - 85 seconds if it's a tire/driver change/refuel. Usually drivers do anywhere from 2 to 4 driving stints and are changed when the tires need changing.
(btw, Le Mans 24h was last weekend, my observation stems from watching the race)
Re: (Score:1)
You're the one not paying attention, I'm afraid. Pit stops in Le Mans are counted from the moment the transponder crosses the pit lane entry line, and the clock only stops when the transponder crosses the pit lane exit line. The winning car (#2 Audi driven by Kristen/McNish/Duval) stopped 34 times during the race, averaging just a little over a minute per pit stop.
Other ACO rules: at any one time no more then 5 mechanics may work on the car in the pit lane. The engine must be shut off before refueling. The
Re: (Score:2)
The racing industry can change all four tyres on a car in under three seconds.
A 45 second recharge isn't impressing me.
Top Gear drove this (Score:2)
It topped out at 24 mph.
Re: (Score:1, Funny)
It topped out at 24 mph.
And it exploded and killed Jeremy Clarkson's dog. It was hilarious. You had to see it.
This is the Future (Score:4, Interesting)
I am sad I don't have any mod points to give negative shit right now, especially with all the people drinking haterade and talking shit about electric cars - this is a subject I hold close to my heart.....
Yes we are behind on tech, a 1911-1916 Detroit Motors electric car was doing ~80 miles on a charge, with the best test being 211 miles (340 km) from a single charge - however with small scale wind and solar systems we can manage 90% of consumer and urban driving requirements without relying on a single drop of oil from the middle east. I am from Australia - its 3:10am here (yes I've had a drink) and personally whatever happens over there doesn't affect us apart from catching the flu when America sneezes - but this type of technology is what will make the world free one day.
Brand new Electric cars are $100k, but for $20k you can buy an old can and convert it to electric with 200km "down under" range (~120 miles) and it will consume a hell of a lot less overall energy than a combustion motor - you guys in the USA will probably get the most expensive part - the batteries - cheaper than we would in Australia and your currency is now stronger.
Electric cars will always have more instant torque and power than unleaded, ethenol, DIEsel or Gas (LPG, Natural Gas) - and they will kick ass when the time is right. Look up "White Zombie EV" and "EV West" cars for some real education on what is available on the market already.
If anyone disagree's, you suck and I don't care.
Re: (Score:1)
I live in a small Mid-Western US town and there are close to a dozen electric cars running around town not to mention a flood of hybrids. I am thinking about getting an all electric car for my self and a hybrid for the wife {that way we have a car that we can drive on that vacation we take once a decade}. I'm not saying there are no over sized SUVs here there are plenty of those also.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Hear hear, well said sir. Every word the pure ring of truth.
Re: (Score:2)
Brand new Electric cars are $100k, but for $20k you can buy an old can and convert it to electric
Or for $2k I can buy a pretty good used gasser. I spent less than $4k and got a turbo-diesel sedan which gets 26 mpg (real-world, in hill country on diesel. I'd love to own a small EV but it just doesn't make economic sense.
Formula One profile (Score:2)
Why not make a sports car for dirt roads instead? At least it would be usable outside of perfectly flat circuits.
Re: (Score:2)
you mean this thing?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBNxTSTMeII [youtube.com]
620kW with 20kWh Battery = 2 Minutes full throttle (Score:2)
Ok fine. A racecar won't go full throttle all the time on the racetrack. But still at least 50%. That roughly enough energy for a grant total of THREE laps ... on a really short racetrack.
Sorry, but this is a stunt and in no way practical whatsoever. That's because it runs on batteries and batteries have crappy energy density. It's just the wrong kind of technology for this purpose. Stop kidding yourselves.
This may work with fuelcells - but those require much more electricity to make and store the hydrogen
I declare bullshit (Score:2)
I think in order to claim you can drive 202 mph, you should be able to drive at that speed for an hour. Otherwise you are really getting far less actual miles per hour when you have to stop every 5 minutes and charge for 10 hours.
Really, its speed is more like 202 miles/week.
Just a reminder, before you slam me, scan for sarcasm first.
Re: (Score:2)
Yeah. The Brits are also making a car that will do 1,000 mph. They ought to make that run for an hour as well.
Of course, finding a straight track several thousand miles long might be a bit of a problem. I've heard that there's nothing in the middle of Australia...
We have rocks, Kangaroos, Wombats, Koala Drop Bears, land sharks and backpacker murders.
Everything on this fucking content is trying to kill you.
Oh Bollocks. (Score:2)
I think in order to claim you can drive 202 mph, you should be able to drive at that speed for an hour. Otherwise you are really getting far less actual miles per hour when you have to stop every 5 minutes and charge for 10 hours.
Really, its speed is more like 202 miles/week.
Just a reminder, before you slam me, scan for sarcasm first.
Most cars wouldn't be able to maintain 300 KPH for 1 hour without refilling. Hell, most cars wont reach 200 KPH let alone maintain it.
Doing 300 KPH for 1 hour is nothing like doing 300 KM per week as:
1) You'll be doing 300 at lower speeds, thus using less fuel (gross oversimplification, but a vast improvement over the Parents analogy).
2) You'll also be stopping and starting a lot more.
I track my lightly modified DC5 and at 250 KPH I'd go through 50 litres of RON 98 in less than half an hour as I'm d
Re: (Score:1)
That's right. Proud conquerors of the vastest empire the world has ever seen - and then we gave it back.
We're that good.
KillaCycle (Score:3)
World Records (Score:1)
they have the wrong idea (Score:2)
When I was a lad... (Score:2)
My mentor and I built a RC model car that on smooth concrete could do 105MPH, and sustain it for 8 - 10 minutes. It had so much torque that 'punching it' off the line turned it into a 'ground-bloom-flower'. Factor in the car's scale MPH (1/12 scale) and it was doing 1260 (scale) MPH.
I used to impress my nerd-friends by 'drag-racing' cars going down the street (at 25 - 30 MPH) and passing them before they had gone 100 meters. That is the car being raced was going 25 MPH and the RC car was going from ze