A group of engineers from Australia have set a new world record in electric vehicle design. The UNSW Sunswift 7 solar-powered car, designed by the University of New South Wales Sydney, completed a 1,000 km (621 miles) test circuit in under 12 hours on a single charge. This accomplishment highlights their innovative approach to aerodynamics and efficiency.
Since 1996, UNSW engineers have been creating solar-powered cars and their latest model, the Sunswift 7, has been setting records for electric vehicle performance. Weighing a mere 500 kg (1,100 lb), which is only a quarter of the weight of a Tesla, the engineers had to omit features like air conditioning systems, ABS brakes, airbags, windscreen wipers, and other standard components found in production cars to achieve this lightweight design. Instead, they focused on improving aerodynamic efficiency and rolling resistance resulting in a drag coefficient of just 0.095, compared to the Tesla Model S’s drag coefficient of 0.208.
The Sunswift 7, a solar electric car created by a team over the course of two years, has set its sights on breaking the Guinness World Record for the fastest solar electric car to travel 1,000 km. Recently, the team completed a test run of 240 laps on a single charge at the Australian Automotive Research Centre’s Highway Circuit test track. The journey was not without its challenges, as the team had to overcome a battery-management issue and a punctured tire. Driving shifts also occurred every few hours during the 1,000-km trip, which took 11 hours, 53 minutes, and 32 seconds at an average speed of almost 85 km/h (52 mph). With the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in 2023 ahead, the Sunswift 7 is ready to take on the competition.
The Sunswift 7 has potentially claimed the title of the fastest electric vehicle to cover over 1,000 km on a single charge. However, the team is still waiting for official confirmation and data to receive the Guinness World Record Certificate.
According to Team Principal Professor Richard Hopkins, the energy consumption during this particular achievement was only 3.8 kWh/100 km (62 miles). This is a significant accomplishment as even the most efficient electric vehicles currently on the road only achieve a rating of 15 kWh/100km and the average is around 20 kWh/100km. Although Sunswift 7 is not a feasible production car for the future due to comfort compromises and cost limitations, it does demonstrate the possibility of creating more efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly cars.
The Sunswift 7 is set to join the lineup for the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in 2023.
