Buckeye Bullet Features And Top Speed

The Buckeye Bullet is a series of electric land-speed race cars developed by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) at The Ohio State University in collaboration with Venturi Automobiles. These vehicles have been designed and built by students and faculty, pushing the limits of electric vehicle technology. Their goal is to break land speed records for electric vehicles while promoting advancements in electric mobility.

Here’s a brief overview of the Buckeye Bullet series:

1. Contents

   Buckeye Bullet 1 (BB1) (2004):

   he Buckeye Bullet 1 (BB1), launched in 2004, was the first electric land speed vehicle developed by students at The Ohio State University’s Center for Automotive Research (CAR). It was designed to showcase the potential of electric propulsion and set new benchmarks for electric vehicle performance.

   Key Features of Buckeye Bullet 1:

   1. Powertrain:
      • Powered by nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, BB1 was one of the first electric vehicles of its kind to reach such high speeds.
      • The car was equipped with custom-built electric motors designed to deliver the necessary torque for high-speed racing.
   2. Design:
      • The vehicle was long, low, and aerodynamically optimized for land speed racing. Its sleek shape was built to minimize drag and handle the unique challenges of racing on the salt flats.
      • The frame was constructed using lightweight materials to balance speed and durability.
   3. Top Speed and Record:
      • In October 2004, BB1 achieved a land speed record of 321.8 mph (517.9 km/h) at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. This was a significant milestone for electric vehicles, setting a new standard for battery-powered speed.

   Achievements and Legacy:

   • The BB1 project demonstrated that electric vehicles could compete at extremely high speeds, breaking the 300 mph barrier.
   • It paved the way for future versions of the Buckeye Bullet, like BB2 and VBB3, and marked a major achievement in electric mobility research.

2. Buckeye Bullet 2 (BB2) (2007):

   The Buckeye Bullet 2 (BB2), introduced in 2007, was a significant evolution in the Buckeye Bullet series. It marked the team’s shift from battery power to hydrogen fuel cell technology, making it one of the first hydrogen-powered land speed vehicles to aim for a world record.

   Key Features of Buckeye Bullet 2:

   1. Powertrain:
      • Hydrogen Fuel Cells: BB2 was powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which generate electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing only water as a byproduct. This demonstrated the potential of clean, renewable energy for high-performance applications.
      • The fuel cells were custom-built and designed to power the car’s electric motor at high speeds, making BB2 a pioneer in combining sustainable energy sources with extreme performance.
   2. Design:
      • Like its predecessor, BB2 was optimized for aerodynamics, with a sleek, elongated design meant to minimize drag on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
      • The car featured a carbon fiber and aluminum chassis, ensuring a lightweight frame without compromising structural integrity. This balance was crucial for maintaining speed while safely housing the hydrogen fuel cells.
   3. Top Speed and Record:
      • On September 25, 2007, the Buckeye Bullet 2 set a world land speed record for hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles, reaching a speed of 302.9 mph (487.7 km/h).
      • This achievement was notable because it demonstrated the viability of hydrogen fuel cells in high-performance settings, beyond typical uses in passenger vehicles or stationary energy storage.

3. Buckeye Bullet 2.5 (BB2.5) (2009):

   The Buckeye Bullet 2.5 (BB2.5), introduced in 2009, was a transition vehicle between the hydrogen-powered BB2 and the more powerful battery-electric Venturi Buckeye Bullet 3 (VBB3). Returning to a battery-electric powertrain, BB2.5 was designed to break speed records set by its predecessors and push the boundaries of electric vehicle technology even further.

   Key Features of Buckeye Bullet 2.5:

   1. Powertrain:
      • Lithium-Ion Batteries: Unlike BB2, which used hydrogen fuel cells, BB2.5 returned to battery power with lithium-ion batteries, a more advanced and energy-dense solution than the nickel-metal hydride batteries used in the original BB1.
      • This upgrade gave BB2.5 the ability to produce higher power output over sustained periods, ideal for land speed racing.
      • The vehicle was equipped with a custom-built electric motor capable of delivering substantial torque, designed to handle the unique conditions of the Bonneville Salt Flats.
   2. Design:
      • BB2.5 kept the aerodynamic shape and lightweight construction of BB2, using advanced materials like carbon fiber and aluminum to ensure minimal drag and maximum speed.
      • The chassis was carefully engineered to accommodate the powerful battery system and provide the necessary stability at high speeds.
   3. Top Speed and Record:
      • On September 24, 2009, BB2.5 set a new world land speed record for battery-electric vehicles, reaching a speed of 307.7 mph (495.1 km/h) at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
      • This record demonstrated the increasing potential of lithium-ion battery technology, particularly in high-performance settings.

   Achievements and Legacy:

   • The Buckeye Bullet 2.5 showcased the advantages of lithium-ion batteries for performance, pushing electric vehicle technology forward.
   • It held the electric land speed record until it was surpassed by its successor, the Venturi Buckeye Bullet 3 (VBB3).
   • BB2.5 also served as a platform for the continued partnership between The Ohio State University and Venturi Automobiles, culminating in the more advanced VBB3.

4. Venturi Buckeye Bullet 3 (VBB3) (2016):

   The Venturi Buckeye Bullet 3 (VBB3), developed in collaboration between The Ohio State University’s Center for Automotive Research and Venturi Automobiles, represents the pinnacle of electric land speed racing. Launched in 2013 and breaking records by 2016, VBB3 is the world’s most powerful electric vehicle, designed to push the boundaries of electric propulsion in high-performance environments.

   Key Features of Venturi Buckeye Bullet 3:

   1. Powertrain:
      • Battery-Electric Power: VBB3 is powered by a massive 3,000 horsepower (2,240 kW) battery-electric motor, driven by lithium-ion batteries. The car is designed to showcase the potential of electric powertrains to deliver extreme speed without relying on combustion engines.
      • The power system features an advanced cooling mechanism and energy management systems to ensure peak performance during high-speed runs.
   2. Design:
      • Aerodynamics: Like its predecessors, VBB3 has an elongated and streamlined body specifically designed to minimize air resistance at high speeds on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
      • Materials: The car is built with lightweight materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum to reduce weight while maintaining the structural integrity needed to reach incredible speeds.
      • The car is over 11 meters (36 feet) long, emphasizing its long, sleek form to achieve better stability and speed on the salt flats.
   3. Top Speed and Record:
      • In September 2016, VBB3 set the FIA (International Automobile Federation) world land speed record for electric vehicles with a top speed of 341.4 mph (549.43 km/h) over a mile.
      • During its testing runs, the VBB3 unofficially achieved a speed of 358 mph (576.45 km/h), although this was not recognized as an official record.
   4. Technical Challenges:
      • The development of VBB3 posed numerous engineering challenges, particularly in managing the intense heat generated by the high-output electric motors and batteries.
      • The car also required precision in aerodynamics and stability, given the extreme speeds it was designed to reach.