A group of engineering students from Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah, USA, has created an ultra-efficient experimental car that can travel around 912 kilometres on just one litre of fuel. The vehicle achieved 2,145 miles per gallon (about 911 km per litre) in the 2026 Shell Eco-marathon competition held in Indianapolis.
The car, named Supermileage, is a lightweight prototype designed purely for maximum fuel efficiency. It weighs only about 49 kg and uses a small single-piston engine with advanced aerodynamics. The body is made of carbon fibre in a teardrop shape to reduce air resistance. Drivers must be small and light (under 54 kg) and lie flat inside the vehicle. It runs at very low speeds, around 23 mph, using a “burn and coast” method – it accelerates briefly then coasts to save fuel.
This impressive result shows the power of student innovation. The team of 20 mechanical engineering students focused on every small detail to beat previous records. The project highlights how creative engineering can help solve big problems like rising fuel costs and climate change.
However, this car is not for normal road use. It has no comfort or safety features for daily driving or high speed. These supermileage vehicles are built only for competitions to push the limits of technology. Experts say such experiments can inspire future improvements in real cars, electric vehicles, and sustainable transport.
The success of BYU students has gone viral and is encouraging young engineers worldwide. It proves that with smart design and teamwork, big breakthroughs in green technology are possible.
