Students Build Car That Can Travel 2,145 Miles on Just One Gallon of Fuel

While much of the automotive industry’s focus remains on electric vehicles, students at Brigham Young University in Utah have developed an extraordinary experimental car capable of traveling 2,145 miles on just one gallon (3.8 liters) of fuel.

The vehicle, known as “Supermileage,” was designed for the annual Shell Eco-marathon competition, where teams compete to achieve the greatest possible distance using the least amount of fuel.

The car weighs only 49 kilograms and is constructed from lightweight carbon fiber. Its highly aerodynamic shape helps reduce air resistance and maximize fuel efficiency.

One of the most remarkable features of the vehicle is its tiny 30-milliliter fuel tank, which is only slightly larger than a standard test tube. Despite its small size, the design allows the vehicle to achieve exceptional fuel economy under controlled conditions.

According to the student team, calculations suggest that the car could theoretically travel the distance from Utah to New York using only one gallon of fuel. However, the vehicle’s top speed is just 37 kilometers per hour, and its fuel tank requires refilling approximately every 20 miles.

To keep the weight as low as possible, almost all conventional vehicle features have been removed. Even the driver’s height and weight are restricted, with only individuals meeting specific size requirements allowed to operate the vehicle.

Although Supermileage is not intended for commercial use, the project demonstrates how advanced engineering, lightweight materials, and aerodynamic design can dramatically improve fuel efficiency in transportation.