Anyone following Edison2 knows that we are breaking new ground with our Very Light Car. Extremely light and aerodynamic, we believe it is the most efficient automobile platform (chassis and body) ever built. But what about the engine?
Remember that we have intentionally avoided a hybrid or electric power source, because with either you immediately expend more energy to move around a heavier car. And our Very Light Car, being very light, does not need a big engine to perform well; we use a highly efficient, one-cylinder, 250 cc engine.
Our use of extensive exhaust gas recirculation (an extreme version of the EGR system on most modern cars, where exhaust gases are reused to lower combustion temperatures, reduce nitrous oxide emissions and somewhat improve economy) allows us to address a key problem: how to maintain efficiency for the entire range of power needed, from acceleration to steady state cruising.
Our little engine is exceeding expectations in both economy and power. With this engine our Very Light Car promises to be a nimble, safe car, fun to drive and efficient to operate, and perhaps even a winner of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize.