The 2500-plus horsepower dragster, charged by solar power, will reach speeds of 530km/h, completing the quarter mile in only 4.5 seconds when it makes its debut early next year.
Project engineer and driver Mr Fragomeni and the Top EV team have spent the past four-and-a-half years engineering the car, with the aim of challenging minds which think piston-powered, fuel-burning combustion engines are the only powerful engines out there.
‘I’ve always been fascinated with high-powered electronics and the associated physics. By developing the most powerful electric vehicle in the world, we are forging our technologies in the field of electric propulsion and more importantly we are innovating to optimise energy efficiency ” one of the greatest challenges for improvement,’ he said.
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READ NOWArc’d Up will be powered by over two million watts of electricity or enough power to run half of the homes in Wanneroo simultaneously.
To get the dragster up to speed electrically requires a lot of innovation and development, Mr Fragomeni said.
‘Where you’re dealing with that amount of energy and torque you have to design aspects of the car which have yet to be designed in motorsports. There’s a fair amount of power behind it, which allows it to accelerate to that speed, so there’s a big emphasis on safety and protection, especially when all of that electricity is stored only 30cm away from the back of my head.’
When Arc’d Up takes off from the starting line, Mr Fragomeni will be hit with seven g-forces of acceleration, which is more than a space shuttle launching.
To handle that amount of force, and be able to react quickly, requires a high level of strength and fitness, which has prompted him into a training regime, so he can get behind the wheel confidently.
While the initial focus of Mr Fragomeni’s project was to build the world’s quickest and fastest electric car, it has evolved to incorporate an environmental and community education program.
“We’re really going to show people that clean energy cars can be fast, can be fun and certainly visually exciting.’
Mr Fragomeni will be exhibiting Arc’d Up at schools, shopping malls and car shows across Australia and eventually the world, in the hope of educating people about alternative and renewable energies.
Top EV Racing are seeking corporate sponsorship for the continued development and exhibition of their Arc’d Up electric dragster.
For more information, visit www.TopEVRacing.org