Lord Drayson, the former Labour Science Minister, has set a new electric land speed record reaching a top speed of 204.185mph (an average from two runs) eclipsing the previous record of 175mph set in 1974 by Battery Box Electric in America.
The Drayson B12 69/EV, an 850bhp, quad-motor powered electric prototype, weighing less than 1,000kg’s and converted from a Lola LMP1 Le Mans racer, shattered the long-standing record as the sun was setting on the RAF Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire.
Recharging electric vehicles has been a long-standing problem, but instead of plugging in the B12 to boost the 20kWh batteries, the car was simply rolled over a charger plate and the batteries were recharged using wireless technology. The technology meant a turn-around time of less than an hour allowing the B12 to complete the two runs in favourable weather conditions.
There have been faster land speed records, for example, the British engineered Bloodhound SSC is aiming to break the 1000mph barrier. There have even been faster electric cars with specific speed record breaking designs, however, Lord Drayson’s intentions were to set the record in the sub-1000kg category which bears a more direct application to road cars.
Lord Drayson has devoted himself to environmentally friendly motoring research and the not-so-average Lord has also competed in two 24 Hour Le Mans races. Drayson was pleased with his team’s achievements and enthused “I’m delighted we’ve beaten the record and can show the world electric vehicles can be fast and reliable…This is a true celebration of Britain's leading position within the burgeoning electric vehicle industry and I'm delighted to be at the forefront of this electric revolution.”
Not content with breaking the land speed record, Lord Drayson commented on his hopes to exceed acceleration records later in the week as his team, Drayson Racing Technologies, continue with their testing in Yorkshire.
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