On May 16, a Californian team of some auto-engineers tested its wind-powered car to outrun wind speed at New Jerusalem Airport in Tracy, Calif. Rick Cavallaro, the creator affirmed it hitting a top speed 2.86 times faster than the wind. The car features an aerodynamic foam chassis, which is attached to a wind turbine.
Using wind as an external power source, the car’s propeller produces enough thrust to push the car’s wheels beyond the speed of the wind. The team took almost a year in designing a transmission system that could transfer power from the wheels to the propeller. Just to ensure that the creative team doesn’t lack finances, Google and Joby Energy provided the necessary funding.
Via: PopSci