The record for the fastest electric car in the world has fallen.
Team Vesco 444 reVolt Systems streamliner, nicknamed “Little Giant” and driven by New York City resident Eric Ritter, clocked a blistering 568km/h (353 mph) earlier this month at Bonneville salt flats average — 19.3km/h faster than the current world record.
“What an incredible ride!” Ritter said.
“The torque off the starting line — it’s a monster. It bolts without hesitation and keeps pulling, non-stop.
“Our time slips tell the story, with the 357 mph top speed, that 400 is a now a reality — no longer just a dream.”
Utah-based Team Vesco, pioneers in the field of automotive and motorcycle racing and record-setting, joined forces with reVolt Systems of Oceanside, California’s led by Eddy Borysewicz — for the record attempt.
Together with significant contributions from American Track Roadster’s Greg Peek and engineering from Trenton Wonsley, the team demonstrated to the world that electric vehicle technology is the technology to watch.
“Little Giant” parked some big records on the salt,” Team owner Rick Vesco said.
“We are excited about the future of electric vehicles and happy to be a part of shattering the notion that electric cars are slow.”
Peek was responsible for the design and build of the complex powertrain section that connects the motors together, sending the necessary energy to the driveline and wheels.
“In design, you start with things that you know and the things you don’t, then fill in the blanks and connect the dots,” he said.
“The main parts had to go through six complex processes to end up with something useful and reliable.
“You can go for cheap or go for bullet proof. I think our new National record shows which one we chose.”
The 444 attained both National E3 Class Records in only four runs down the racecourse.
All records require two runs that are averaged to obtain the final speed.
World Records have the added requirement of completing both runs within 60 minutes.
The reVolting Little Giant’s battery pack was recharged with solar power using a Tier 4 solar trailer.
Vesco holds the current 737km/h (458 mph) FIA World Record driving the Turbinator.
Yet Dave Spangler vanquished the international number by recording a 775km/h (482 mph) National Record in 2018 when he posting a one-way eye-popping 809km/h (503 mph) in Turbinator II.
Other bright spark contributors were Al Vershave of AVS Fabrication, Jon Amo of Gates Belts, Nick Katrov of NDK Paragon, Andrew Char and Gregg Snow.
