Pac-car

Pac-Car II is the world's most fuel-economic vehicle. It was developed as a student project at ETH Zürich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology). Based on a group of students and an experienced teamleader, the goal was to build a vehicle, that uses as little fuel as possible. By using hydrogen fuel-cell, developed at ETH/PSI (Paul Scherrer Institute), as power source, pure water is the car's only emission. Clean mobility completed therefore the educational and energy saving aspects of the project.

Additional recommended knowledge

Recognize and detect the effects of electrostatic charges on your balance

Daily Sensitivity Test

Daily Visual Balance Check

Facts

• Excellent aerodynamics (Cw=0.075, Af=0.254m^2)
• an extremely lightweight construction of the body (total mass of 29 kg, carbon fibre materials)
• low rolling resistance of Michelin's Radial Tyres (Cr=0.0008)
• highly efficient powertrain (almost 50%)
• Optimal driving strategy with respect to the track and the vehicles operating figures
• use of latest simulation and optimization tools (CFD, FEM, MATLAB and Simulink,GESOP)

World Record

In 2005 on June 26, PAC-Car II set a new world record in fuel-economy (5385 km/l gasoline equivalence) during the Shell Eco-Marathon in Ladoux (France). During its third race over 20.6 km the car consumed approx. 1 g of Hydrogen driving at an average speed of 30km/h. This corresponds to 0.0186 l of gasoline equivalence/100km, or 12,645.9454MPG [1]. This world record is certified by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Related links

• Pac-Car II Website
• Measurement and Control Laboratory ETH Zürich
• ETH Zürich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich)
• Bundesamt für Energie
• Paul Scherrer Institute
• Ruag
• Esoro
• Tribecraft
• Shell Eco-Marathon
• Guinness Book of World Records