Canada’s Laval is Custom-Built for Efficiency
Although the mileage turned in by the top performers in Shell Eco-marathon Americas may be eye-popping—typically about 2,000 miles per gallon (846 kilometers per liter)—the student competitors in the European edition of the competition achieve triple the fuel economy. (Last year’s European winner turned in a performance of 6,663.2 mpg (2,832.8 km/l). (See “French Teams from Loire Valley Grab Top Prizes in Shell Eco-marathon Europe.“)
That’s not only because the schools have more years of experience (the May contest in Rotterdam will be the 28th year for Shell Eco-marathon Europe), but because the top teams custom-build their engines rather than buy off-the-shelf equipment for under the hood. However, one of the traditionally high-performing teams in the Americas competition, Université Laval of Québec City, Canada, does typically build its engine from scratch. Its Alerion Supermileage team won the 2011 competition in Houston with a best run of 2,564.8 mpg (1,090 km/l). (See “Breaking 2,500 mpg, Canadian Team Wins High-Efficiency Race”)
But as fourth-year mechanical engineering student Phillipe Bouchard explains in this video as his teammates work on their fuel injection system outside of the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, the custom-built approach is not without challenges.
The team was able to get the car working again, and on Saturday afternoon Alerion Supermileage was in first place among 16 cars in the gasoline prototype category, breaking previous marks at Shell Eco-marathon Americas with a 3,001 mpg (1,276 km/l) run. The competition continues in downtown Houston through Sunday.
Related Topics
Go Further
Animals
- How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Environment
- Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?
- The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
History & Culture
- Meet the original members of the tortured poets departmentMeet the original members of the tortured poets department
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Travel
- Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico