Hybrid Vehicle Comprising TeXtreme Outsmarts Contestants

Mechanical engineering students at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, took part in Shell’s Eco-Marathon with “Smarter”, a hybrid vehicle, which was constructed entirely using Oxeon’s spread carbon tow fabric TeXtreme.

“Smarter”, participating in the Urban Concept category of the marathon, weighed 80 kg and was about 45% lighter than its competitors. The significant weight saving, attributed to TeXtreme’s spread carbon tow structure, lowered fuel consumption and improved construction.

Henrik Olofsson, CEO, Oxeon, observes that the increasing need for fuel efficient vehicles requires a constant and consistent supply of lightweight and high performance materials. With worldwide availability of finer carbon tows (1k-6k) being consumed by the aerospace industry, Oxeon’s patented spread tow and tape weaving technologies occupy a very unique position in the market as it allows production of lightweight reinforcements using the more readily available heavier carbon tows. The innovative platform offered by both Shell Eco-Marathon and Chalmers University of Technology allowed students to explore the positive impact of TeXtreme on the environment.

Publication Date: 20/05/2009

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