Overview
On September 16, 2016, the Venturi Buckeye Bullet 3 (VBB-3), designed and built by students at Ohio State University, set a new land speed record for electric vehicles at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The VBB-3 reached a top speed of 301.07 mph (484.53 km/h), becoming the first electric vehicle to pass the 300 mph mark.
Details
The VBB-3 is powered by four Applied Magnets Superconducting Magnet Motor Generator Unit (AMSM) modules. Each module consists of a liquid helium-cooled superconducting magnet, an outer cryogenic housing, an inner stator, and a bearings assembly. The four modules are arranged in a "inline four" configuration, similar to that of a conventional internal combustion engine.
The VBB-3's four modules are capable of generating a combined 1,000 horsepower (750 kW). The car has a theoretical top speed of 348 mph (560 km/h), but the record-setting run was limited to 301 mph (484 km/h) due to the condition of the salt flats.
The VBB-3 was designed and built by a team of students at Ohio State University, led by professor Giorgio Rizzoni. The team has been working on the car since 2009, and the VBB-3 is the third iteration of the Buckeye Bullet. The first Buckeye Bullet set a land speed record for electric vehicles in 2004, reaching 307 mph (494 km/h). The second Buckeye Bullet, the VBB-2, set the world record for fastest electric car in 2009, reaching 314 mph (505 km/h).
The Future
The team is now working on the VBB-4, which is designed to reach 400 mph (644 km/h). The VBB-4 is expected to make its debut in 2017.
Ohio State University's Venturi Buckeye Bullet 3 Sets New Land Speed Record
Overview
On September 16, 2016, the Venturi Buckeye Bullet 3 (VBB-3), designed and built by students at Ohio State University, set a new land speed record for electric vehicles at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The VBB-3 reached a top speed of 301.07 mph (484.53 km/h), becoming the first electric vehicle to pass the 300 mph mark.
Details
The VBB-3 is powered by four Applied Magnets Superconducting Magnet Motor Generator Unit (AMSM) modules. Each module consists of a liquid helium-cooled superconducting magnet, an outer cryogenic housing, an inner stator, and a bearings assembly. The four modules are arranged in a "inline four" configuration, similar to that of a conventional internal combustion engine.
The VBB-3's four modules are capable of generating a combined 1,000 horsepower (750 kW). The car has a theoretical top speed of 348 mph (560 km/h), but the record-setting run was limited to 301 mph (484 km/h) due to the condition of the salt flats.
The VBB-3 was designed and built by a team of students at Ohio State University, led by professor Giorgio Rizzoni. The team has been working on the car since 2009, and the VBB-3 is the third iteration of the Buckeye Bullet. The first Buckeye Bullet set a land speed record for electric vehicles in 2004, reaching 307 mph (494 km/h). The second Buckeye Bullet, the VBB-2, set the world record for fastest electric car in 2009, reaching 314 mph (505 km/h).
The Future
The team is now working on the VBB-4, which is designed to reach 400 mph (644 km/h). The VBB-4 is expected to make its debut in 2017.