Advantages of using adhesives in vehicle construction

• Weight reduction: In competitive settings, lightweight designs hold a significant advantage. Vehicles with reduced weight not only reach higher speeds more easily but are also more energy-efficient. For instance, Formula 1 cars weigh approximately 800 kilograms, while standard cars weigh around 1.4 tons. Adhesives are crucial for achieving these weight reductions, as they are much lighter than traditional fasteners like bolts and screws.
• Aerodynamics: Adhesives enable parts to be joined seamlessly, creating smoother surfaces. This improves the aerodynamics of the vehicle, resulting in greater speeds and enhanced energy efficiency.
• Vibration damping: Adhesive bonds effectively reduce vibrations, which enhances ride comfort and lowers the stress on other vehicle components by absorbing disruptive forces.
• Structural Integrity: Adhesives distribute loads more evenly across the joint compared to mechanical fasteners, which can enhance structural integrity.
• Material Diversity: Modern vehicles are made of many different materials, such as carbon fiber, aluminum, and titanium. Adhesives efficiently bond these materials, facilitating their integration in vehicle construction.

Swift Speedsters

In 2015 and 2016, the TUfast Eco Team impressively demonstrated how a highly energy-efficient vehicle concept can be realized.Their fully battery-powered race car claimed first place in the "Battery-powered vehicle" category at the 2015 Shell Eco-Marathon. Weighing only 26.5 kg, the vehicle achieved an outstanding range of 863 km/kWh.

Furthermore, the futuristic design of the vehicle "eLi15" earned it the Design Award, proving that sustainability can also be visually appealing. The team's success continued in 2016 with additional remarkable achievements.

The world's most efficient electric car

In 2016, the team found success once again with their improved "eLi16." They secured first place at the Shell Eco-Marathon again and third place at the EducEco Challenge in France. The pinnacle of their achievements came in July 2016 when the TUfast Eco Team set a new world efficiency record, earning a spot in the Guinness World Records as the "Most efficient electric vehicle." On an Audi test track, the car used just 78.79 kilojoules to cover a distance of 25 kilometers. This is equivalent to a range of 1,232.2 kilometers per kilowatt-hour, or roughly 11,000 kilometers on a single liter of gasoline. The young engineers spent over a year working on their vehicle to achieve this world record. They managed to reduce the total weight to just under 20 kilograms and further enhanced the car's aerodynamics.

Conclusion

Although the world record for the "Most efficient electric vehicle" was surpassed by Duke University in the summer of 2019, the achievements of the team remain a testament to the outstanding capabilities of the students involved. Their accomplishments highlight the potential of using innovative materials and techniques in vehicle design to achieve both environmental and performance gains. Through their participation, the team members have played their role in promoting sustainable advancements in automotive engineering.

Curious to learn more? Don't miss the opportunity to accelerate your own processes with DELO adhesives. 

Get consultation

About DELO: DELO is a leading provider of high-tech adhesives. For over 25 years, we have delivered solutions for the automotive, electronics, and semiconductor industries. Our innovative technologies set industry standards. Companies like Bosch, Huawei, and Siemens trust DELO for superior adhesive technologies.