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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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