The Moonbeam is a 100 MPG car that you can build yourself for just $2,500 and 1000 hours. The inventor, Jory Squibb, has provided detailed instructions on his website.
"In a world where the price of oil is trending towards infinity, large companies are quickly seeking alternative energy sources for transportation. Jory Squibb decided he'd build his own fuel-miser, and set about creating it from second-hand motorcycle parts. The resultant vehicle, christened MOONBEAM, gets 80-85 mpg around town and under economy run conditions (max 40 mph) delivers 105 mpg. Two scooters for the bits cost US$500, and the entire project took 1000 hours (a year of 20 hour weeks) to complete, with a total of US$2000 costs beyond the initial scooters. Moonbeam has a Variable speed transmission, so there's no gear shifting (hand controls only)." - Giz Magazine
Moonbeam
100 MPG Do it Yourself Car Costing $2500
Trend Themes
1. DIY Vehicles - The Moonbeam sets a trend for DIY car kits that prioritize affordability and fuel efficiency.
2. Alternative Fuel Sources - Moonbeam and similar projects showcase disruptive innovation opportunities in developing alternative fuel sources for transportation.
3. Variable Speed Transmissions - Moonbeam's variable speed transmission highlights a trend towards more efficient transmission systems in vehicles.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive Manufacturing - Automotive manufacturers can take note of the popularity of DIY car kits and explore ways to adapt their production processes to offer more affordable and fuel-efficient options to consumers.
2. Alternative Energy - The development of affordable and efficient cars like Moonbeam showcases the potential disruption that alternative energy sources like solar and electric power can have on the automotive industry.
3. Transmission Systems - Moonbeam's variable speed transmission creates opportunities for companies that develop efficient transmission systems to supply the growing DIY car kit market.