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Australia’s first hydrogen racing car unveiled at RMIT
RMIT University researchers have unveiled Australia’s first hydrogen-powered
racing car, in a pioneering project that demonstrates the incredible possibilities of
hydrogen as the clean, renewable fuel of the future.
The car will be bidding for the title of world’s fastest hydrogen-powered racer when
it attempts to break the Guinness World Records mark for speed by a vehicle of its
class in early 2009.
Professor Aleksandar Subic, Head of the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and
Manufacturing Engineering, said RMIT’s collaboration with Germany’s
Fachhochschule Ingolstadt University of Applied Sciences on the hydrogen car
project could radically change the world’s approach to automotive technologies.
“This is a demonstration vehicle for the future – a car that is powerful, fast and runs
on clean, sustainable fuel,” Professor Subic said.
“By aiming to set a new speed record for one-seater, hydrogen-powered racing cars,
we want to show the world the possibilities of this alternative clean technology, both
for ordinary vehicles and in racing.
“Our work will have benefits for all cars but we also hope it could lead one day to a
first in racing – a clean and green Formula 1 competition.”
Powered by an internal combustion motorcycle engine that has been modified to
run on hydrogen, the racing car is expected to reach speeds of up to 170kmh in its
world record bid, to be held in Germany next year.
RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, said the
hydrogen racing car was an example of the University’s ground-breaking work in
automotive engineering research.
“This project was not just about theory – it exposed RMIT students to the actual
challenges of building and testing a racing car using cutting-edge sustainable
automotive technology,” Professor Gardner said.
“The skills that these students have developed at RMIT, as well as their passion
and ingenuity, will help them to become the leaders of the automotive engineering
industry of the future.”
The car will be officially launched in Melbourne tonight at the first International
Conference on Sustainable Automotive Technologies, which runs to 7 November.
Media note: high-quality images of the hydrogen racing car are available.
For interviews: Professor Aleksandar Subic, (03) 9925 6000 or 0419 356 435.
For general media enquiries: RMIT University Media and Communications,
Gosia Kaszubska, (03) 9925 3176 or 0417 510 735.
5 November, 2008
NEWS 
