Inventor says his car can do 8,000 miles to the gallon

Published on 13/05/2006 00:08

A BRITISH inventor claims he has built the world's most fuel-efficient car - which does a staggering 8,000 miles per gallon.

The thrifty three-wheeler will cover ten miles on just one teaspoon of unleaded fuel. Inventor Andy Green built the ten-foot-long vehicle, called Team Green, in his spare time for just 2,000 to compete for the world fuel-efficiency title.

It is powered by a tiny 35cc single-cylinder engine, but is capable of reaching 60mph because it stands just 60cm high and is super-aerodynamic.

The carbon fibre car weighs just 30kg, 2 per cent of the average car, and can travel for 60 miles on a full tank of 36 millilitres - or six teaspoons - of petrol.

Mr Green, 45, built the vehicle by himself in his university workshop for the Shell Eco-Marathon event in southern France later this month. He is the only British competitor among 250 teams from around the world who are competing for the title of the world's most efficient motor.