BAC Unveils Graphene Bodied Car

British carmaker BAC (Briggs Automotive Company) has unveiled the first car in the world to be built using graphene at the Science in the City festival in Manchester.

The first ever car built using graphene has been unveiled in Manchester

Graphene, a revolutionary new substance first developed at the University of Manchester, is a form of carbon just one atom thick. However, it is 100 times stronger than steel, and can conduct heat and electricity efficiently, although nearly transparent.

It is also lighter and stronger than carbon fibre – which is used extensively in Formula One cars and has also being introduced to the world of supercars in recent years – and its use in cars could have significant implications for cost, performance and fuel economy when applied to the automotive manufacturing process.

Graphene is lighter and stronger than carbon fibre

BAC has used the substance in a version of its Mono sports car, thanks to a collaboration with Haydale Composite Solutions.

Graphene has been only been used in the rear wheel arches of a Mono, due to the size and complexity of the part, in order to thoroughly test the manufacturing process and how the material fitted in with the car.

BAC development director and co-founder Neill Briggs said: “BAC is uniquely placed in the automotive industry to be able to take innovative steps, and latest work with graphene is further proof of this.

Note: Parts of this article first appeared on Express.

Staff