Editor's note:
Ed Rannberg, electric vehicle owner, designer, and speed record holder has been one of the most pioneering and successful EV promoter of all time. It was back in 1991 when I met Ed at the Solar Energy Expo & Rally in Willits, CA. Ed had brought a electric drag bike and exhibited it to a attentive crowd. Ed pointed out that at the time, there wasn't motor controlers for the amount of amps that his bike had in it's battery pack, so the demonstration starts with a "on" switch. With helmet and some protective 'jeans', Ed flipped the switch and took off down the street faster than you can say "ah". It was quite a launch ....

A few years later at the LA Electric Grand Prix, Ed was drumming up support for his land speed record attempt, and I took the above photo at the event's finale in Disneyland.

Ed passed away a few years ago, and is sadly missed. If you would like to read more about him, please check this link out.

More Info:

Lightning Rod was built in Fontana CA by the Arivett Bros. who are race car designers and builders with particular expertise in streamlining and aerodynamics. They worked with Cal Tech to produce the elegantly shaped aluminum body having a model calculated coefficient of drag at .13 cd. It weighs 2310 lbs including the 26 batteries. A second group of 26 batteries and a second motor are provided for and may be employed in future development stages. The one present motor is calculated to drive the vehicle at 200 mph or more.

Ed Rannberg's Lightning Rod 1993 World Electric Land Speed Record Attempt

1996 Ed Rannberg drives 201 mph in a specially prepared EV built by Donald and Gerald Arivett. The speed was clocked by the Southern California Timing Association, but is not considered an official world record, because it was made by driving in only one direction.

1997 Rannberg Team Racing set a new international land speed record of 192 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah. The Lightning Rod uses off-the-shelf technology, including sealed lead-acid Genesis batteries. The two opposite-direction runs were timed and sanctioned by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). A new national speed record of 207 mph was sanctioned by Bonneville National, Inc. (BNI).