The Worlds most efficiant electric car

At the beginning of November the RAC Future Car Challenge took place, an event where vehicle manufacturers of the world can test and exhibit their most environmental cars. The overall prize was won by Gordon Murray and his car, the T.27. The car used sixty four pence worth of energy to make the 57.13 mile journey from Brighton to London. This is astonishing, especially when you are looking at near enough £15 for the equivalent train journey (Off-Peak to London Bridge). The T.27 had the equivalent of 350mpg on the journey and produced a mere 37g/km of CO2. Other awards won by Gordon and the T.27 were the “Best Overall Pure Electric Car” and “Most Energy Efficient Small Car (Prototype)” Gordon believes that the success of his T.27 (and petrol powered T.25 sister that was successful in last year’s competition) is their lightness. The T.27 is capable of one hundred miles of travel on a full four hour charge. For those who watch Top Gear and saw the part where Jeremy and James were testing the Nissan and Peugeot electric cars, you’ll remember that they took around twelve to thirteen hours to fully charge and had the same range. This shows how quickly electric cars are coming along. Although, as discussed by James and Jeremy, is battery power really the solution to the oil crisis and reducing CO2 emissions, or is it just a stepping stone to the real solution (e.g. Hydrogen)?

Another interesting development in the world of electric cars is a creation by Rolls–Royce. Named the 120EX, it is based on the Phantom and is still as luxurious as one would expect from Rolls. The V12 usually found under the bonnet has now been replaced by the largest pack of lithium-ion batteries fitted to a motor vehicle and two 145kW electric motors connected to a single speed transmission. The 120EX has 80Nm (59lb/ft) more torque than its petrol twin and it reaches 60mph from stationary in under eight seconds, so this is no slouch. There is also more leg (or fridge) room in the back as using electric motors means that there is no need for any kind of prop shaft.