A hydrogen-powered car, fueled by sewage, is attempting to break a land speed record. The hydrogen the car will run on is a byproduct of Wastewater Fuels treatment technology. This technology is being trialed at Severn Trent, a water company in the UK.
The Waste2Race Le Mans Prototype race car (LMP3) has been built by the University of Warwick. It is constructed from a selection of spare and unused parts. The car will be used to attempt to break one of several land speed records. These records include the fastest standing and flying starts for a mile and a kilometer. The creators hope to have the car fully operational within the next six to twelve months.
Sustainable Powertrain and Materials
The car parts come from Ginetta, a British specialist builder of racing and sports cars. Some parts have been adapted with sustainable materials, including recycled carbon fiber. The wing mirror is made from beetroot waste, showcasing innovative use of eco-friendly materials.
The steering wheel, developed by the National Composites Centre (NCC), is made from 100% naturally occurring materials. ENRG Motorsport contributed a battery recovered from a crashed road car for the project.
Wastewater Fuels Technology
The Waste2Race project comes as manufacturers such as Alpine and Toyota explore hydrogen as a fuel. BMW recently announced plans for its first hydrogen car to go on sale from 2028.
With the chassis fully developed, engineers have been working to develop the sustainable powertrain. They have also been working on fitting the powertrain into the car during the summer.
Student Involvement and Industry Collaboration
Students from The University of Warwick had hands-on experience working on the build throughout the summer break. This experience allowed them to gain invaluable skills needed for future careers in motorsports and manufacturing. The project involved collaboration with several industry partners:
- Ginetta: British specialist builder of racing and sports cars, provided spare parts for the car
- National Composites Centre (NCC): Developed the steering wheel made from 100% naturally occurring materials
- ENRG Motorsport: Contributed a battery recovered from a crashed road car
- Severn Trent Water: Trialing the Wastewater Fuels treatment technology that produces the hydrogen fuel
Professor Kerry Kirwan, Head of the Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Research Group at WMG, commented on the project. He expressed pride in the ingenuity of the students and wished them luck in their record attempt. He also highlighted the importance of collaborations between businesses, universities, and curious students in breaking barriers.
Future of Hydrogen Cars
WMG staff and students aim to complete the car in 2025 and use it to showcase sustainable concepts. These concepts are being worked on across the University and industry.
Richard Walwyn, Head of Asset Intelligence & Innovation at Severn Trent Water, expressed pride in supporting Wastewater Fuels. He emphasized Severn Trent’s commitment to technologies that have positive impacts on the environment.
Dr. Daniel Carlotta-Jones, Chief Engineer at Wastewater Fuels, explained the importance of recovering value from waste streams. He stated that wastewaters, constantly produced by society, industry, and agriculture, are an important area to target. The collaboration with WMG on the Waste2Race car project demonstrates how waste streams can be processed better.
Key Takeaways
- The hydrogen-powered car, fueled by sewage, aims to break land speed records.
- The car is built using sustainable materials such as sewage and a repurposed battery.
- Wastewater Fuels technology recovers value from waste streams, essential for a future net-zero economy.
- University of Warwick students gain hands-on experience in the project, preparing them for future careers.
- The project showcases the potential of hydrogen-powered cars in racing and passenger vehicles.