Ecotricity’s Wind Power Vehicle, Greenbird, Sets Land Speed Record

Ecotricity’s “Greenbird” broke the world record for land speed on a wind powered vehicle on March 26, 2009. The vehicle, which the company has named Greenbird, is completely powered by wind energy and is an innovative new step in the hybrid vehicle market. The Greenbird is capable of speeds of up to 126.2 miles per hour and produces zero carbon emissions while running. 

The vehicle was developed by Ecotricity, one of Britian’s largest renewable energy companies, in a joint venture project with Richard Jenkins from the Windjet Project. Currently the company has been advertising the Greenbird as a hybrid airplane, sailboat, and racing car. Dale Vince, owner of Ecotricity, and partner Richard Jenkins have told press that their vehicle is the next step for eco-friendly transport. 

The Greenbird is completely powered on energy harnessed from the wind, emits no dangerous greenhouse gases, and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. The March speed demonstration took place on the California/Nevada border and set the world record for any type of wind powered transportation. The world record prior to the demonstration set by a wind powered vehicle was 116 miles per hour. This record was held by the Iron Duck, but has not been surpassed since it won the record in 1999. 

The Greenbird is a combination land and ice vehicles. Developers Dale Vince and Richard Jenkins plan to enter the vehicle in a race this winter which will also determine the world’s fastest vehicle for ice terrain. Should the Greenbird win that challenge it will be the fastest wind-powered all-terrain vehicle on the planet.