BYU Electric Car Surpasses 200mph and Sets New Land Speed Record
Electric cars seem to be the future of automotive engineering. For years colleges and car companies around the world have tried their hands at creating the best and most efficient models to release to the general public.
Most of the public wonders, though, how fast electric cars can go. Can you take them on the freeway? Will the charge last long enough to reach incredible speeds?
Students and volunteers at BYU accepted the challenge and created “Electric Blue,” their lightweight streamliner electric car. They set their first record in 2011 when Electric Blue set the land speed record of 155.8mph (250.7 km/h). It was beat again last week when it set the record twice at 204.9mph. Team captain and BYU student Kelly Hales remarked,
When we set the record three years ago we felt like we left a lot on the table, On paper we thought we could get 200 mph but we never had the conditions just right—until now.Â
One hundred and thirty students and volunteers from BYU have been working on the streamliner for the past ten years designing the aerodynamic body for the car. The car has now been retired and will most likely be displayed in a museum.
