Researchers from Keio University in Tokyo have introduced an 8-wheeled electric car that can reach a maximum speed of 370 km/h, believed to be the fastest electric vehicle in the world today.
This super electric car, named Eliica, was developed by researchers at Keio University in collaboration with Japan’s scientific research promotion programs and funded by the renowned tire manufacturer Bridgestone.
The Eliica features an unprecedented initial acceleration. It can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds and reaches 160 km/h by the sixth second. In tests, Eliica achieved a maximum speed of 370 km/h, comparable to the takeoff speed of an aircraft or the speed of professional gasoline racing cars, earning it the title of the fastest electric car in the world.
Currently, Eliica is being tested on various road types in Japan, and researchers plan to release a limited number of Eliica vehicles to the market soon.
Hiroichi Yoshida, the project director for the Eliica electric vehicle, stated, “Initially, we plan to offer this electric car to a select group of particularly wealthy customers. The Eliica cars, when commercialized, will also be equipped with a conventional gasoline engine. The price of Eliica is expected to decrease rapidly in the future, making it accessible to more people.”
Yoshida noted that the Eliica operates on lithium battery systems with an extremely low operational cost of about 1 yen/km (approximately 140 Vietnamese dong). The initial price of Eliica will be around 30 million yen, equivalent to about 260,000 USD, and there are currently around 100 customers ready to pay immediately for this remarkable vehicle.
Yoshida has been pursuing electric vehicle projects for the past 25 years, and the Eliica is his most satisfying model to date. It remains to be seen what other ultra-high-performance electric cars Yoshida will create in the coming years.
TIEN TRANG (According to AFP)
