The car created by students from Lac Hong University in the southern province of Dong Nai greatly outdistanced other competitors at the contest. The winning team said that they changed the vehicle’s structure and engine several times and the most difficult part of making the car was the use of ethanol - instead of gas - which has a lower burning temperature than gasoline and a weak compression blast so it is very hard to start up. Therefore, the team had to do research to recreate the pit system and cylinder and assemble one more electronic injector to control the fuel.
 Soldering the frame of the vehicle. Photo: Thong Hai  The vehicle is made of recycled materials and motorbike’s spare parts. Photo: Thong Hai/VNP  Tran Huy Hoang, a 3rd year student of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Faculty, Lac Hong University, is a member of the team. Photo: Thong Hai  Team members seek ways to adjust the engine to meet the contest’s criteria. Photo: Thong Hai/VNP  Wheels of Exciter motorbike are used to make the wheels of LH-Gold Energy. Photo: File  The cover of the car was made of a fiberglass and resin mixture and is designed in order to minimize friction when running. Photo: File  An adjusted part leading fuel to the engine. Photo: File  The transmission of the vehicle. Photo: Thong Hai  Its engine is adjusted from motorbike’s engine. Photo: File  The complete frame of the vehicle. Photo: File |
The cover of the car was made of a fiberglass and resin mixture, meeting the criteria of lightweight, durability and beauty. It has mirrors, a horn, lights, poker gaming and a clock to show the speed parameters, fuel and transmission oil in the cockpit. The car weighs about 60kg with only one seat for the driver. Seats, seatbelts, steering and brakes are styled so it looks like a racing car.
At Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2015 held in Thailand, the LH-Gold Energy Team of Lac Hong University won the first place in Alternative Fuel in the Urban Concept category with their car which could drive164.4km on one litre of ethanol. Not satisfied with the achievement, the team continued carrying out research to improve some spare parts that helped the car run further on one litre of ethanol.
Tran Huy Hoang, a 3rd year student of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Faculty, Lac Hong University who is also a member of the team, acknowledged, “When being tested in 2016 the car could run nearly 200km with the highest speed of 50km/h on one litre of ethanol. This success encouraged us very much”.
Dr. Le Phuong Long, a lecturer from the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Faculty, Lac Hong University, said, “The success of the students in creating a car using ethanol created an echo because it can be applied to the reality, contributing to the reduction of fuel emissions that causes environment pollution”.
 The LH-Gold Energy running on ethanol made by students of Lac Hong University. Photo: File  The vehicle is taken to the racetrack of Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2015 held in Thailand. Photo: File  The LH-Gole Energy can drive 185km on one litre of ethanol with the highest speed of 50km/h. Photo: File  The vehicle weighs 60kg and has one seat. Photo: File  The team of Lac Hong University won the championship at Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2016 held in Manila, the Philippines in March. Photo: File |
Story: Nguyen Oanh - Photos: Thong Hai &Files
