Experimental electric vehicle breaks world record – goes from 0 to 60 in less than a second
[Sept. 18, 2023: Staff Writer, The Brighter Side of News]
A student-built electric vehicle is racing to the record books at a military airfield in Dübendorf, Switzerland. (Credit: Alessandro Della Bella | ETH Zurich)
In a world driven by the quest for speed and better technology, a group of Swiss students have reached new heights in electric vehicle acceleration. His remarkable creation, named after the Alpine peak, “Mythane”, has broken existing records and amazed both auto enthusiasts and experts.
Weighing in at just 309 pounds (140 kg), the Methane doesn’t look like a speed giant at first glance. However, it has rewritten what we know about electric vehicle acceleration.
Born of a collaboration between students from ETH Zurich University and Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the vehicle reached 62.15 mph (equivalent to 100 km/h) in 0.956 seconds, making it the fastest electric vehicle ever. On the planet in terms of acceleration.
Looking back: a decade of record breakers
This achievement was not achieved suddenly. Over the past ten years, many teams have stepped forward, each aiming to set new standards. Notably, a team from the University of Stuttgart in Germany was the last team to hold the torch.
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Their customized electric marvel accelerated from a standstill to 100 km/h in 1.461 seconds, which equates to a 0 to 60 mph time of 1.411 seconds. But the Swiss wonder, Methane, managed to eclipse this feat.
To quote a team member, “The record has been broken many times over the past decade, but with Methane, we wanted to create something extraordinary.”
Comparison with Aerial Titans: The Mytheon vs. the Super Hornet
To understand the magnitude of methane’s accomplishment, let’s turn to the skies. The Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet, the epitome of power and agility, is powered by twin GE F414 jet engines, each generating an astonishing 22,000 pounds of thrust. Still, this powerful jet takes 0.8 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph.
The student-built Methane EV is accelerating down a stretch of pavement with the timekeeper and support crew in the background. (Credit: Alessandro Della Bella | ETH Zurich)
The Methane, although a ground vehicle, comes close to this record. But instead of roaring jet engines, it relies on its own quartet of electric motors. Together, these motors produce an impressive 326 horsepower, a testament to the advancements in electric vehicle technology. In this area, no gasoline-powered car has yet been able to match the methane’s achievement.
Methane’s Secret: Suction Power
Innovation is not limited to electric engines. When the methane accelerator is pressed, an innovative onboard air pump comes into action. This creates a vacuum beneath the vehicle, pulling it toward the ground through suction. This action not only ensures maximum grip and stability but also helps in converting all the power of the vehicle into rapid acceleration.
“It’s a combination of raw power and engineering finesse,” commented one of the Swiss students involved in the project. “Creating a vacuum beneath the car allows us to harness all the energy of the methane, ensuring that each horsepower is used to its maximum potential.”
A bright future: what’s next for electric vehicles
Methane’s remarkable achievement serves as a testament to the future of transportation. As we look ahead, the future of the automotive sector looks to be moving toward electric, and these students have provided a fascinating glimpse of what’s possible.
Students from ETH Zurich and Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts have broken the previous world record for 0-100 km/h acceleration with their hand-built electric racing car. (Credit: Alessandro Della Bella | ETH Zurich)
In the coming years, as battery technology improves and engineering innovations continue, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more records broken. Methane has set a high bar, but in the world of technology and innovation, the only constant is change.
Ultimately, Mythen’s success isn’t just about speed. It’s about ingenuity, collaboration and the indomitable spirit of human innovation. As the world is watching, electric vehicles like the Methane not only promise a greener future, but are also thrillingly fast.
Keywords: electric vehicles, methane, acceleration, ETH Zurich University, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, record, University of Stuttgart, Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet, electric motors, horsepower, vacuum, innovation, transportation, automotive sector, battery Technology.
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