Solar Car Charges Self (and It's Too Ugly to Steal)
Talk about energy independence! A HIDEOUS new car from Venturi Eclectic needs no gas, and no electrical outlet. The entire roof is a solar panel, which powers its puny 22hp (16kW), 50Nm electric motor. If the sun isn't shining, a flip-up windmill uses wind power to charge its liquid-cooled NIMH batteries. (If there's no sun or wind, you can plug it in.) The company plans to sell 200 for just over $30,000 each, just to see if anyone will buy them. If they're popular, they'll go into full production in three years. (props to Unplugged Living)
7:36 AM * PERMALINK * 6 comments
Comments:
Never mind hideous - it looks impractical. How would it handle in snow? Certainly looks like the passengers would freeze up. If you live in the southwest perhaps it would work out, but then again - $30K? An alternative energy vehicle has the double whammy of needing to be affordable - why would a well-heeled person bother except to have smug rights or a showpiece.
I guess you can convert your garage into a workshop, since you won't want to park inside. In parking structures, you'll want those usually undesirable (and empty) spaces on the roof. Does this thing have air conditioning?
I have just one question. Would you take this baby out on the highway?
I'm from Australia !
We have enough sunshine but a lot of our towns are 300 miles apart.
How long would it take to do the trip ?
Forget the 300 miles, look at the plus side - it's that ugly you'd scare the bloody roos away so at least you wouldn't hit any.
It looks too light weight and flimsy. Uh, it looks like a bloody plastic $30,000 piece of junk!
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