This hydrogen-car can run over 1242 miles on a single tank

The team has come a long way since its prototype, Eco-Runner I, which participated in the Shell Eco-marathon, a worldwide energy efficiency competition in 2005. The car then achieved an efficiency figure of 346m/L (557km/L) of hydrogen in the top-5 entries. In 2022, its Eco-Runner XI attained a figure of 2110 m/L (3396km/L), also setting the world record for the longest distance traveled in a hydrogen vehicle by driving non-stop for 36 hours and covering 743 miles (1196 kilometers). 

The team is confident that with the Eco-Runner XII, it has now improved upon the design to ensure it becomes the "world's most efficient, hydrogen-powered city car," according to its web page. 

Focus on reducing weight and energy loss

One of the critical goals of the team when developing the Eco XII was to decrease weight as much as possible. The consumption of energy while driving is directly linked to the mass of the car is lower. "The Body department focussed on creating an aeroshell and a load-carrying structure that was as lightweight as possible without breaking," said a blog post. The use of carbon fiber in place of typically produced steel components was the key to reducing the car's weight. Suspension beams or the steering system's pushrods are a few examples that helped shed the car's overall mass. 

Limiting internal energy losses is another aspect of efficiency. "These losses include rolling resistance, air drag, but also the losses that occur when converting hydrogen to electricity or converting electricity to kinetical energy (movement) in the electrical motor." The team created a new, highly efficient electric motor specifically tailored to reduce these energy losses. Engineers also improved the powertrain system with a brand-new fuel cell that addresses the requirements. 

The requirements have led to a unique bubble-car shape which allows it to keep aerodynamic drag and weight as low as possible. The car's curb weight stands at 147 pounds (67 kilograms), and has a top speed of 15.5 mph (25km/h).

Aiming to take the game forward in energy efficiency

The segment has seen intense competition after Eco-Runner XI did 1196 kilometers. In October 2021, Toyota could cover 845 miles (1360 kilometers) without refueling, surpassing the previous team's performance. 

Another competitor emerged in 2022 under the moniker ARM Engineering. They drove for 40 hours straight and managed to cover 1276 miles (2055.68) kilometers with their automobile on one hydrogen tank—a significant step forward in illustrating the potential of fuel cell technology. 

The team hopes that improvements will help it regain the world record by covering a distance of more than 1276 miles (2,055 kilometers) in a single run. The record attempt will be made in June.