The Very Light Car (VLC) is a prototype design for 2- and 4-passenger automobiles emphasizing low weight and overall efficiency.[1] It was originally developed by the Edison2 team for the Automotive X Prize competition.[2] Two such 4-passenger cars were the only qualifiers in the finals of the "mainstream" division of the competition, and one of them won the 2010 division prize of $5 million with a competition fuel economy of 102.5 MPGe.[3]
The Very Light Car prototype
The design emphasizes mainstream rather than exotic materials, extreme low weight (less than 450 kg (1000 lbs)) and very low aerodynamic drag (coefficient of drag <0.16).[4] Significant design innovations include in-wheel suspension and safety design derived from endurance auto racing.[5]
Edison2 was founded by Oliver Kuttner, a Virginia entrepreneur and auto enthusiast, and is headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia. The VLC development involved over 100 of its own and other companies' employees. After the contest, the team brought on designer Jason Hill and electric vehicle expert Ron Cervan.[6]
X-Prize competition vehicles
Their four competition vehicles were powered by small (250cc) one-cylinder E85-gasohol-fueled internal combustion engines. The aim was to achieve the prize's requirement of 100 MPGe or higher fuel economy.[7] A small E85 internal combustion engine was chosen for the competition in order to have the lowest possible powerplant and fuel weight, high energy density, low pumping losses, and an engine design with an efficiency sweet spot at cruising speed; while meeting mileage and emission standards.[8] The fuel-vs-batteries tradeoff was especially onerous in the mainstream class, because it had a higher 200-mile range requirement, doubling the potential size of a heavy battery pack for hybrid and EV designs.[8]
Their two 4-passenger cars were the only qualifiers in the finals of the "mainstream" division of the competition. All other mainstream entrants broke down in qualifying rounds or failed to achieve minimum MPGe requirements. One of them won the 2010 division prize of $5 million with a fuel economy of 102.5 MPGe.[3] Edison2 could not participate in final validation tests at Argonne Laboratories because two engines were damaged during the coast-down portion of final tests before validation. "Competition officials ruled that Edison2 was not at fault for the incidents at Coast Down that damaged the engines of both of their Mainstream Class entries." In the absence of time and finances to repair and calibrate engines, "officials granted Edison2 a waiver from validation testing. However, Roush laboratories, a separate third party, had conducted dynamometer tests for Edison2 in preparation for Knockout and Finals rounds of the Xprize, and officials reversed an earlier decision to eliminate any vehicle unable to complete validation and agreed to review those results to determine whether they can be accepted in lieu of testing at Argonne."[9] After Coast Down and before tests at Argonne Labs, Xprize officials determined: "The engine failures were found to have been caused by third-party drivers of the vehicles, however, and were not blamed on vehicle design or capabilities." Edison2 was permitted to provide independent third-party validation reports instead of undergoing the same validation testing as other finalist teams.[10] Progressive Automotive Xprize posted Edison2's final MPGe results in a press release on their website.[3]
In addition to its entries in the X Prize "mainstream" division, the team also entered one additional vehicle in each of the two "alternative" (2-passenger) divisions. The side by side alternative class entrant, #96, "failed to meet the minimum 67 MPGe fuel-economy requirement" during the knockout phase of the X Prize competition and was eliminated.[11] The tandem alternative class entry suffered catastrophic engine failure, possibly due to a software problem, and was also eliminated.[12]
Current work
After winning the X-Prize, Edison2 continues work on further VLC prototypes, developing more aerodynamic bodies, an electric drive train, and further refining the innovative in-wheel suspension. In addition, further prototypes are aimed more at consumer acceptance than bare-bones competition requirements.[6] The eventual aim is to have established auto manufacturers pick up low-weight designs for mass production, and possibly license individual technologies, such as the in-wheel suspension.
^ abc. Archived from the original on 2010-09-19. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
^"Edison2 - Very Light Blog - Annoy As Little Air As Possible". Edison2.com. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
^"Huntsville-designed software helps Edison2 create X Prize-winning Very Light Car". Blog.al.com. 20 June 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
^ ab"Edison2 - Future Plans". Edison2.com. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
^(PDF). www.progressiveautoxprize.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 December 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ ab"Edison2 - Very Light Blog - E85". Edison2.com. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
^Eric Cahill. "The Competition Isn't Over Yet: Why Validation Matters". Progressive Automotive XPrize Blog. Retrieved 2011-03-31.
^John O'Dell. . Edmunds.com Green Car Advisor. Archived from the original on 2010-08-20. Retrieved 2011-03-31.
^"Edison2 Very Light Car", Consumer Reports. Retrieved on 30 April 2013.
^"A $2.5 million software problem: Catastrophic failure eliminates local supercar from competition", "The Daily Progress", 27 July 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2013
^ abBryan Walsh (2010-11-11). . Time Magazine. Archived from the original on November 14, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-17.
External links
Media related to The Very Light Car at Wikimedia Commons
Eric Cahill. "The Competition Isn’t Over Yet: Why Validation Matters", Progressive Automotive XPrize Blog, August 26, 2010
John O'Dell. Edmunds.com Green Car Advisor, August 17, 2010.
Bryan Gentry, "Lynchburg Man Hopes His Efficient Car Will Change the Auto Industry", The News and Advance, January 9, 2010
Brian McNeill, "Car of Tomorrow: Kuttner's 100mpg Vehicle Still in X Prize Fight", The Daily Progress, November 8, 2009
Edison2 website
Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize website
"Light, Fuel-Driven Car Goes For 100 Mpg X Prize", NPRMorning Edition, July 22, 2010
March 02, 2023
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The Very Light Car VLC is a prototype design for 2 and 4 passenger automobiles emphasizing low weight and overall efficiency 1 It was originally developed by the Edison2 team for the Automotive X Prize competition 2 Two such 4 passenger cars were the only qualifiers in the finals of the mainstream division of the competition and one of them won the 2010 division prize of 5 million with a competition fuel economy of 102 5 MPGe 3 The Very Light Car prototype The design emphasizes mainstream rather than exotic materials extreme low weight less than 450 kg 1000 lbs and very low aerodynamic drag coefficient of drag lt 0 16 4 Significant design innovations include in wheel suspension and safety design derived from endurance auto racing 5 Contents 1 Edison2 team 2 X Prize competition vehicles 3 Current work 4 Recognition and awards 5 References 6 External linksEdison2 team EditEdison2 was founded by Oliver Kuttner a Virginia entrepreneur and auto enthusiast and is headquartered in Lynchburg Virginia The VLC development involved over 100 of its own and other companies employees After the contest the team brought on designer Jason Hill and electric vehicle expert Ron Cervan 6 X Prize competition vehicles EditTheir four competition vehicles were powered by small 250cc one cylinder E85 gasohol fueled internal combustion engines The aim was to achieve the prize s requirement of 100 MPGe or higher fuel economy 7 A small E85 internal combustion engine was chosen for the competition in order to have the lowest possible powerplant and fuel weight high energy density low pumping losses and an engine design with an efficiency sweet spot at cruising speed while meeting mileage and emission standards 8 The fuel vs batteries tradeoff was especially onerous in the mainstream class because it had a higher 200 mile range requirement doubling the potential size of a heavy battery pack for hybrid and EV designs 8 Their two 4 passenger cars were the only qualifiers in the finals of the mainstream division of the competition All other mainstream entrants broke down in qualifying rounds or failed to achieve minimum MPGe requirements One of them won the 2010 division prize of 5 million with a fuel economy of 102 5 MPGe 3 Edison2 could not participate in final validation tests at Argonne Laboratories because two engines were damaged during the coast down portion of final tests before validation Competition officials ruled that Edison2 was not at fault for the incidents at Coast Down that damaged the engines of both of their Mainstream Class entries In the absence of time and finances to repair and calibrate engines officials granted Edison2 a waiver from validation testing However Roush laboratories a separate third party had conducted dynamometer tests for Edison2 in preparation for Knockout and Finals rounds of the Xprize and officials reversed an earlier decision to eliminate any vehicle unable to complete validation and agreed to review those results to determine whether they can be accepted in lieu of testing at Argonne 9 After Coast Down and before tests at Argonne Labs Xprize officials determined The engine failures were found to have been caused by third party drivers of the vehicles however and were not blamed on vehicle design or capabilities Edison2 was permitted to provide independent third party validation reports instead of undergoing the same validation testing as other finalist teams 10 Progressive Automotive Xprize posted Edison2 s final MPGe results in a press release on their website 3 In addition to its entries in the X Prize mainstream division the team also entered one additional vehicle in each of the two alternative 2 passenger divisions The side by side alternative class entrant 96 failed to meet the minimum 67 MPGe fuel economy requirement during the knockout phase of the X Prize competition and was eliminated 11 The tandem alternative class entry suffered catastrophic engine failure possibly due to a software problem and was also eliminated 12 Current work EditAfter winning the X Prize Edison2 continues work on further VLC prototypes developing more aerodynamic bodies an electric drive train and further refining the innovative in wheel suspension In addition further prototypes are aimed more at consumer acceptance than bare bones competition requirements 6 The eventual aim is to have established auto manufacturers pick up low weight designs for mass production and possibly license individual technologies such as the in wheel suspension Recognition and awards EditShared the 2010 Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE 13 Selected by Time Magazine as one of the 50 Best Inventions of the Year 2010 13 References Edit Edison2 Welcome Edison2 com Retrieved 17 April 2018 Progressive Insurance Automotive XPRIZE Progressive Insurance Automotive XPRIZE Retrieved 17 April 2018 a b c Three Teams Awarded Share of 10 Million Purse in Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE for Super Fuel Efficient Vehicles Progressive Automotive XPRIZE Archived from the original on 2010 09 19 Retrieved 2010 09 17 Edison2 Very Light Blog Annoy As Little Air As Possible Edison2 com Retrieved 17 April 2018 Huntsville designed software helps Edison2 create X Prize winning Very Light Car Blog al com 20 June 2011 Retrieved 17 April 2018 a b Edison2 Future Plans Edison2 com Retrieved 17 April 2018 Archived copy PDF www progressiveautoxprize org Archived from the original PDF on 28 December 2010 Retrieved 17 January 2022 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint archived copy as title link a b Edison2 Very Light Blog E85 Edison2 com Retrieved 17 April 2018 Eric Cahill The Competition Isn t Over Yet Why Validation Matters Progressive Automotive XPrize Blog Retrieved 2011 03 31 John O Dell Auto X Prize s Mainstream Finalist Gets OK to Provide Own Validation Results Edmunds com Green Car Advisor Archived from the original on 2010 08 20 Retrieved 2011 03 31 Edison2 Very Light Car Consumer Reports Retrieved on 30 April 2013 A 2 5 million software problem Catastrophic failure eliminates local supercar from competition The Daily Progress 27 July 2010 Retrieved 30 April 2013 a b Bryan Walsh 2010 11 11 The 50 Best Inventions of 2010 Edison2 Time Magazine Archived from the original on November 14 2010 Retrieved 2010 11 17 External links Edit Media related to The Very Light Car at Wikimedia Commons Eric Cahill The Competition Isn t Over Yet Why Validation Matters Progressive Automotive XPrize Blog August 26 2010 John O Dell Auto X Prize s Mainstream Finalist Gets OK to Provide Own Validation Results Edmunds com Green Car Advisor August 17 2010 Bryan Gentry Lynchburg Man Hopes His Efficient Car Will Change the Auto Industry The News and Advance January 9 2010 Brian McNeill Car of Tomorrow Kuttner s 100mpg Vehicle Still in X Prize Fight The Daily Progress November 8 2009 Edison2 website Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize website Light Fuel Driven Car Goes For 100 Mpg X Prize NPR Morning Edition July 22 2010 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Very Light Car amp oldid 1108478648, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
