It’s now official. Eco-friendly vehicles can win in the long run. Literally. A LeMans prototype vehicle powered by cellulosic E85 (85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline) has finished second overall at the longest race (25 consecutive hour-long race) in the world: the United States Air Force-sponsored 25 Hours of Thunderhill at Willows, California.
Green Alternative Motorsports was formed by Stephen Zadig, VP Operations at Silicon Valley-based semiconductor company Telegent Systems, with the goal to promote E85 in both racing and consumer use as an alternative fuel to gasoline.
The car operates by converting biomass to cellulose ethanol using enzyme technology, done by Canada-based Iogen.
The following statistical details are an interesting account of what amazing feats an environment-friendly car is capable of. The car completed 1160 laps, covering 3341 miles from Seattle to Miami. Its speed went up to a maximum of 145mph. It survived through 12,760 shifts, covering 20 shifts per leap. Feet of duct tape and yards of bailing wire used in the entire operation counted to 75 est. and 25 est. respectively. The drivers toiled till the last shred of their energy, sleeping only 4.5 hours on an average.
Ethanol Producers Magazine is planning a cover with the cars, and Car and Driver Magazine also plans to do an article on the cars and fuel.
Via: Cleantech
