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Photo by Bill Mc Millan

"White Lightning" is powered by two electric motors with controllers and a complex 420 volt battery pack. The two alternating current electric motors are controlled though sophisticated power electronics units, all of which fit neatly into a space that would typically be occupied by a V-8 engine and it's fuel system.   The two 150-kilowatt rated motors provide roughly the equivalent of 400 horsepower.

The motors and controllers were designed by AC Propulsion Inc. founder Alan Cocconi, who also helped design the original GM Impact electric vehicle, which evolved into the automaker's current EV-1 electric production car.

Team Orion of  Switzerland modified the batteries to permit them to be discharged simultaneously, thus creating the necessary power to accelerate quickly.
On each of the land speed record runs, the power pack will be required to run full power for about 90 seconds as 20 intricate packs containing 6,120 batteries (each battery weighing 1/10th of a pound) push a powerful electric charge through the motors.

Copyright © 1999 Dempsey's World Record Associates Inc. 

Last modified: July 26, 2002