A Japanese solar car yesterday won the Global Green Challenge race from Darwin to Adelaide after averaging just over 100 kilometres an hour over the duration of the race, which started on Sunday.
The Tokai Challenger took the lead from the outset of the 3000 kilometre race and maintained a substantial lead even after experiencing a flat tire less than 200 kilometres from the finish. The second and third placed teams are expected to arrive in Adelaide this morning.
The victory by Tokai Challenger is the first by a Japanese team since 1993 and breaks a 4 race winning streak by the Dutch Nuon team. At last reports, the Dutch Nuon team was battling it out for second place against University of Michigan Solar Car Team.
While the Japanese team may have taken line honours, other remarkable achievements have occurred during the event.
A Tesla American sports car participating in the 2009 Global Green Challenge achieved a distance of 501 kilometres (313 miles) on a single charge; a world record for a production electric car on a single charge.
The Deep Green Research modified Honda electric vehicle achieved an endurance run of 360 kilometres that equated to 85 watt hours per kilometre; making the vehicle, according to the Deep Green team, ‘the most energy efficient in the event’. The team also claimed the achievement made the Deep Green Research Honda the most efficient road registered vehicle in Australia and possibly in the world by vehicle weight.
