High Schoolers Get 2,843 Miles Per Gallon

A team of high school students from Mater Dei High School of Evansville, Ind. built a small vehicle capable of traveling 2,843 miles on a single gallon of gas. As part of the 2008 Shell Eco-marathon, the oil company invited 32 high schools and 23 universities from the U.S., Canada and Mexico to compete in building the most fuel-efficient vehicle.

The cars look more like bobsleds, and the results were extrapolated from data gathered at the racetrack (the kids did not actually drive 2,843 miles), but nevertheless many involved in the competition saw this as an opportunity for innovation. With automakers trying to figure out how to get their fleets to 35 mpg by 2020 and the rest of the world concerned about rising fuel prices and climate change, the competition drives the urge to think outside the box and beyond petroleum.

Still, one has to maintain a healthy dose of skepticism when an oil company sponsors any event with the word “eco” in it. What do you think: honest attempt at spurring invention, or heavy-handed PR stunt? Check out the YouTube video after the jump.

High School Students Set New Fuel Economy Record (World Car Fans)