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The Celeritas Prototype Achieves 2,200 MPG

The Celeritas Prototype managed to achieve the astonishing performance of recording 2,200 mpg (0.1L/100 km) in the 2011 Shell EcoMarathon international competition, according to Purdue University.

The Purdue Solar Racing team, from the Purdue University, entered the competition with a solar-powered vehicle, named the Celeritas prototype. The vehicle is set to become a street legal car, as it already features headlights, taillights, trunk, energy regenerative braking, pothole-handling suspension, rearview backup cameras, as well as a full-size seat that allows the driver to stand upright in the car.

The team intends to apply for a VIN number and license plate in order to drive the Celeritas on public roads.

The car has five onboard computer systems that manage to generate a lot of electricity, and future versions of the model will come equipped with an air-conditioning unit in order to increase overall comfort.

Ted Pesyna, team president, explains that students are very pleased with their result, taking into consideration the fact that it was their first year competing in the urban division.

"We have clearly demonstrated the feasibility of an electric car that requires no burning of fossil fuels," Pesyna said.

Thousands of hours went into creating this machine but it is so worthwhile when the results show that we will eventually be able to move beyond oil for our transportation needs," he added.

One year was spent in designing the prototype and another year to build the $90,000 (EUR61,300) machine. The project was funded mostly by contributions from corporations and some Purdue schools and colleges.
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