Australian electric car sets new world speed record

Sydney, Oct 14 (IANS/EFE) An electric car made by Australian engineering students has reached a record speed of 106.9 km per hour (kph) over a distance of 500 km, becoming the fastest car of its type in the world, academic sources reported Tuesday.

The record, set last July by the Sunswift solar car, was included in the annals of the International Automobile Federation, according to the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

The previous record, which had stood for 26 years, was 73 kph.

Sunswift project director and UNSW engineering student Hayden Smith joked that it was not often one could say with all certainty they had made history even before graduating.

The UNSW Sunswift team was founded in 1996 and since then has built five vehicles. Its latest prototype, named Eve, may be marketed in the country.

"Eve will be taken out of circulation for a few months to begin the process of transformation," said Smith.

He also said he was confident the car would be allowed on Australian roads within a year.

Other Sunswift productions also feature in the Guinness Book of World Records, including the fastest solar-powered car.

--IANS/EFE

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