Slashdot Mirror

http://edison2.com/the-x-prize...
https://auto.xprize.org/prizes...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Few more links for the collection.

Gratifying to know AC thinks I own Progressive Insurance and Edison2.

https://auto.xprize.org/prizes...
http://edison2.com/the-x-prize...
https://www.nytimes.com/2010/0...
https://phys.org/news/2011-05-...

What's so exasperating is that manufacturers and the public still aren't taking aerodynamics seriously enough. How smooth is the underside of your electric car? Probably nowhere near as smooth as it could be. Last time I looked, the Leaf had a structural crosshatch pattern showing on the underside. Overlarge grill openings at the front are still quite common. Many people feel that wheel skirts are ugly and will even take them off though that causes 5% more fuel consumption. The fuel economy could be doubled just with better aero. Take a look at the Aerocivic. 95 mpg! The electric version of the Very Light Car gets more than double the range of the Leaf.

But no. That low hanging fruit is left to rot on the tree, while people whine about and sweat over range anxiety.

The goal: a car with mileage greater than 100 MPGe. The requirements: 4 passengers, 4 wheels, range exceeding 200 miles, 0-60 in less than 15 seconds, meeting Consumers Union dynamic safety standards and Tier 2 Bin 8 emissions.

The goal: a car with mileage greater than 100 MPGe. The requirements: 4 passengers, 4 wheels, range exceeding 200 miles, 0-60 in less than 15 seconds, meeting Consumers Union dynamic safety standards and Tier 2 Bin 8 emissions.

There were large vehicles long before power steering. Just had high ratios on the steering wheel.

Aluminum is not an expensive, exotic material. And we're looking at the practicality of using more magnesium.

I have driven my slow car on the freeway. It's nowhere near as bad as you make out. The average loaded 18 wheeler needs over 60 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60, would you call that dangerously underpowered? Doesn't sound like you appreciate just how fast 0-60 in 5 seconds is. That's modern muscle car territory. Most newer cars are around 8 seconds, and they're only that fast because power has been steadily creeping up over the years.

You say that the changes I mention aren't significant, that 20 pounds isn't much, and 2% isn't much of an improvement in economy. But that's exactly how you get good economy! A little here, and a little there, and pretty soon you've saved hundreds of pounds and improved fuel economy by 20% or more. And you will get improvements that large.

A 100 mpg car that seats 4 and is comfortable does exist: Edison2. Why did you give up on the idea of a tandem car? I've thought of those as well, and wondered if they could be made long enough to hold 4 people and still fit in a parking spot. Or, could the seating be a little tighter, somewhat like in a bobsled? As for safety, they can be better than standard vehicles. More crush space to work with on the sides.

Innovations that allow drivers to walk away from high-speed crashes, such as collapsible space not available in other cars and a shape that deflects rather engages on impact, enhance safety in our low-mass vehicle.

Keep in mind, this vehicle was designed by engineers that used to work for racing teams. They know how to make a car that's both light weight and safe.

Innovations that allow drivers to walk away from high-speed crashes, such as collapsible space not available in other cars and a shape that deflects rather engages on impact, enhance safety in our low-mass vehicle.

Keep in mind, this vehicle was designed by engineers that used to work for racing teams. They know how to make a car that's both light weight and safe.

When talking about fuel economy, team Edison2 have proven, light weight and low drag beat hybrids with heavy batteries.

(Imaginary, I'm convinced this won't happen; otherwise why wouldn't you just build a gasoline engine?)

You don't run on pure gasoline because it's not as suitable for exhaust gas recirculation.

In a nutshell, to accelerate efficiently AND cruise efficiently, internal combustion engines need to pump something other than fuel/air into cylinders. E85 is more tolerant of a wide range of "richnesses" and is more suitable to being diluted by exhaust gas.

Read more here: http://www.edison2.com/blog/2010/6/9/e85.html

My First Post Ever after lurking for a decade!

http://www.edison2.com/tech-specs/

This agrees with both TFA and TFS, looks like a 2-door 4-passenger car. I wonder what the gas mileage is with 4 passengers though? The thing weighs 800 lbs, but with 4 160-lb(or more, this is America) people, that is nearly doubled.

It looks like they opted for non-scarce materials according to the official site:

The Very Light Car is a more sustainable vehicle. Not just efficient to drive, but cradle-to-grave environmentally responsible. Less mass means fewer material inputs. Energy intensive materials and hazardous or scarce materials are largely avoided in favor of conventional materials, such as aluminum and steel, that are readily available, easily made in volume, and completely recyclable.

Edison 2 site that would have been linked to in the summary if anyone posting stories gave a damn anymore