Nov 16 2007
A123Systems, sponsor of the world record setting KillaCycle, today announced that the official world record holder in the electric quarter-mile drag again broke its previous world record. The KillaCycle is the first electric vehicle of any kind to break the eight-second barrier with two runs of 7.824 and 7.991 seconds. The new official ¼ mile record is now set at 7.991 seconds at 168mph, with a 0-60mph time of under 1 second.
The KillaCycle set the new world record for the sixth time in its career at the All Harley Drag Racing Association (AHDRA) California Bike Week event this past weekend on Sunday, November 11th at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California. Previously the KillaCycle was powered by a battery with 990 A123Systems Nanophosphate cells, weighing 165 pounds, and delivering 350 horsepower. The new record breaking battery delivers more than 500 horsepower via 1210 A123 cells weighing 186 pounds, newly tuned power electronics, a larger 27” tire, and augmented gearing.
"I knew it was a fast run, but we all were completely blown away when the board lit up with 7.82 @ 168 mph," said Bill Dube, owner of the KillaCycle. "The spectators didn’t clap or cheer but simultaneously let out a revenant, hushed, low-pitched “whooooa” when the board lit up."
“Bill is a visionary in the world of electric vehicles,” said Jonah Myerberg, senior engineer at A123Systems. “His records and our batteries continue to advance the leading edge of electric vehicle performance and technology. If top speed and acceleration are your goals, racing can no longer afford to ignore electric-powered vehicles.”