The car that gets 2,000 mpg

A super-efficient, petrol-engined car designed by students from Laval University in Quebec this week achieved a fuel efficiency of over 2,000mpg to win first place in the prototype class and overall grand prize in the Shell Eco-marathon competition.

The NTF 4.0 vehicle achieved 2,487.5 miles per gallon (US) over a 0.6-mile circuit on real roads in downtown Houston. In classes for internal combustion engine, fuel cell/hydrogen and solar power, Vehicles were required to maintain an average speed of 15 mph for 10 laps.

Categories included fuel cell/hydrogen and solar power. The UrbanConcept class required vehicles to have four wheels, doors, lights, boot space, two seats are required and to make three 10-second pit stops during the event. Top place was awarded to a team from Mater Dei High School in Evansville, Indiana, with a fuel efficiency of 362.9mpg (Imp).

Category winners	Shell Eco-marathon 2010
Grand Prize and best prototype combustion engine	With mileage of 2,487.5 mpg (US)) the Alerion Supermileage team from Laval University of Quebec, Canada won a US$5,000 grand prize with their vehicle, NTF 4.0.
Fuel Cell/Hydrogen	The Cicero North Syracuse High School team from Cicero, N.Y. achieved 780.9 mpg (US) in its Clean Green Machine vehicle
Solar Power	The Purdue University Solar Racing Team took first place with its solar vehicle, Pulsar, which achieved 4,548 mpg (US). Energy use is equivalent to miles per gallon of 87-octane petrol for the purposes of comparison
UrbanConcept	With mileage of 437.2 mpg (US) Mater Dei High School’s Supermileage Team won a US$5,000 grand prize with their vehicle, George.

How is it possible to achieve 2,000mpg?

The contestants use their engines for very short bursts to boost their speed up and then coast until they lose momentum.

The fuel-saving technique is an evolution of the stop/start technology that allows conventional cars to stop their engines when at rest at lights or in traffic and then fire-up as soon as the accelerator pedal is touched.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “Far more modest, but tangible nevertheless, fuel savings are achievable by following a few simple ‘eco driving’ tips.”

Eco driving	… at a glance
Take it smooth	Avoiding harsh acceleration and braking saves fuel and reduces wear and tear – it also leaves you feeling more relaxed
Anticipate	By looking as far as possible up the road it’s possible to reduce stop/start driving, thereby reducing fuel consumption and making you a safer driver into the bargain
Shed weight	Remove unnecessary clutter from your car and you will use less fuel
Improve your aerodynamics	If you don’t regularly use your roof rack or top box, remove it as it’s reducing the efficiency of your car