Groundbreaking EV shatters the record for the longest-range electric car
[Nov. 15, 2023: JJ Shavit, The Brighter Side of News]
Longest-range electric car in the world: muc022. (CREDIT: Technical University of Munich)
In a major leap forward for electric vehicle (EV) capabilities, students from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have achieved what many believed was impossible. Without any aid from solar power, they've set an awe-inspiring world record for the longest-range electric car.
Their cutting-edge, single-seater "muc022" prototype journeyed an astounding 1,599.27 miles (2,575.79 kilometers) on a single battery charge.
The passionate team, aptly named TUfast Eco, utilized a car previously used in competitions for efficient electric vehicles. They meticulously modified the prototype, focusing primarily on aerodynamic design and minimal weight, eventually integrating a robust 15.5-kilowatt-hour battery. Contrary to what skeptics might suspect, there’s absolutely no typo in these figures.
The vehicle's specs are just as mind-blowing: a feather-light 374 pounds (170 kilograms) weight, complemented by a 400-watt single electric permanent-magnet synchronous motor. Its drag coefficient, a telling metric of aerodynamics, sits impressively at 0.159 Cd.
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In an endeavor that felt like a fusion between a scientific experiment and a marathon, the team embarked on their record attempt at an evacuated airplane hangar located at Munich Airport.
Remarkably, within just four days, they breezed past the existing record of 999.5 miles (1,608.54 km). Yet, the battery indicated no signs of letting up. After nearly 99 hours on the road, spanning six days in total, they finally came to a halt. Heartwarmingly, some dedicated TUfast Eco members even took turns sleeping inside the hangar to see this project through.
The final metrics underscore the monumental achievement. The all-electric "muc022" delivered an energy consumption rate of 103 miles/kWh (0.6 kWh/100 km). To put this into perspective, these numbers place the "muc022" into a league of its own in EV efficiency.
Their cutting-edge, single-seater "muc022" prototype journeyed an astounding 1,599.27 miles (2,575.79 kilometers) on a single battery charge. (CREDIT: TUM)
In a comparative context, Mercedes-Benz's Vision EQXX prototype boasts 8 miles/kWh, and Tesla's Model Y, celebrated as "The most efficient Electric SUV ever built," achieves about 4 miles/kWh.
"We've always believed in pushing boundaries. Today, we've not only pushed them, but we've also redefined them," stated one elated team member during the record-breaking session.
Mercedes-Benz's Vision EQXX prototype boasts 8 miles/kWh. (CREDIT: Mercedes Benz)
The team's groundbreaking achievement was celebrated at the IAA Mobility show in Munich. Here, representatives from the Guinness World Records recognized their dedication, innovation, and spirit by bestowing upon them the award for the "Greatest distance by electric vehicle, single charge (non-solar)."
But the innovation doesn’t stop in Munich. Electric vehicles are pushing boundaries across the globe. In a parallel triumph, a spirited team from Zurich and Lucerne in Switzerland recently snagged the record for the world's fastest-accelerating EV. Their prototype can sprint from 0-62 miles per hour in a breathtaking nine-tenths of a second.
ETH Zurich team set a previous 0-62 mph acceleration record inless than 1 second. (CREDIT: ETH Zurich)
The combined feats of these two teams emphasize a renaissance in electric vehicle technology and design. As we transition towards more sustainable modes of transportation, such groundbreaking achievements underscore a bright, efficient, and speedy future for the automotive world.
As electric vehicles continue to take the world by storm, one thing is clear: the future of transportation is not only green but also brimming with endless possibilities.
For more science news stories check out our New Innovations section at The Brighter Side of News.
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