Sports cars / racing cars

The Tesla Roadster accelerates faster than supercars that cost twice as much, yet it produces zero tailpipe emissions and is twice as energy efficient as leading hybrids. Rooted in Silicon Valley tradition, the Roadster is controlled by state-of-the-art vehicle software. The system monitors the status of components throughout the car, shares information to coordinate action, and reacts to changing external conditions.

The Lightning GT prototype is a British-built, rear-wheel drive electric supercar with a fully customisable interior. When it goes into production it will utilise the latest lithium titanate battery nanotechnology to give a range of 180 miles and the ability to recharge in just 10 mins using an Ultrafast off-board charging system. Recharging using standard 13A domestic power takes 15 hrs.

Spain's green racing pioneers Quimera Responsible Racing and the UK's Alex Letteriello and his small team at Evelio have joined forces to develop an all-electric drift-racer. The AEDC (aka K1 Evelio) is capable of quietly speeding from zero to 60 mph (96.5 km/h) in just 3.2 seconds, has an average range of 150 miles (241.4 km) per charge and is expected to reach speeds of 170 mph (273.5 km/h). Powertrain can be ramped up to 250kW. The vehicle complies with all sanctioned safety regulations.

A specialist engineering team from within the world-famous university, Cambridge University Eco-Racing (CUER) has been creating solar-power-only racing cars to compete in the prestigious World Solar Challenge. The vehicles are designed, modelled and manufactured entirely from scratch. In the process the team has often developed entirely novel methods of car manufacturing and modes of thought in order to maximise the sustainability and safety of the vehicles. These methods have so far attracted the investment of global car manufacturers, energy companies and technological leaders.

IRG04 was designed and built by a team of 50 students from Imperial College London over the past 2 years. It took part in the 2011 Formula Student Class 1A competition at Silverstone and came 5th in class as well as being the top British Class 1A entry.