The Solar Car Revolution Could Change EVs Forever

Engineers are one step closer to harnessing the Sun to power your next car, giving the auto industry renewed interest in solar. In other words, the solar powered car revolution is coming.

For centuries now, countless inventors and innovators have tried to harness the power of the Sun. And today, the dream of using solar energy to power transportation is pushing automotive technology to its limits.

But building a practical solar car--one that can actually compete with fossil fuel vehicles and today’s EVs--has never really seemed possible. Until now.

You may have already seen solar cars with similar out-of-this-world designs before. But these vehicles aren’t just attention-grabbing concept cars or experimental solar racers built for competition. These cars are designed and engineered for the everyday commute.

#solarenergy #solarpower #solarcar #seeker #focalpoint

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“Aptera Motors, a California company whose name comes from the ancient Greek for “wingless,” is rolling out the first mass-produced solar car this year. It’s a three-wheel, ultra-aerodynamic electric vehicle covered in 34 square feet of solar cells. The car is so efficient that, on a clear day, those cells alone could provide enough energy to drive about 40 miles — more than twice the distance of the average American’s commute.”

The Lightyear One is a prototype ‘solar car’ with 450 miles of range
“Lightyear has unveiled the first prototype of the Lightyear One, an electric vehicle covered in solar panels that it plans to start delivering to consumers in 2021.”

Global sales of electric cars accelerate fast in 2020 despite pandemic
“Global sales of electric cars accelerated fast in 2020, rising by 43% to more than 3m, despite overall car sales slumping by a fifth during the coronavirus pandemic. Tesla was the brand selling the most electric cars, delivering almost 500,000, followed by Volkswagen.”

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[Seeker]

Would you drive a car that runs on sunshine? Let us know in the comments below.

[macdietz]

What do you mean "forget EVs?" This is literally an EV with solar panels

[TheWerelf]

you know they're selling something when then use words like "revolutionize" and "forget EVs"

[StefanDimitrovBG]

Not a word about battery capacity, speed, safety... This looked like a commercial.

[maxse]

Forget EVs, EVs are here but now they have solar roofs!

[lerbyn]

Wouldn't a solar powered car still be an ev(electric vehicle)

[sence]

You missed the most important question. When will these cars be commercially available? Otherwise, this video is just a puff piece on vapourware

[creatineenjoyer]

Misleading title. Aptera is a battery charged car first and the solar is a backup

[deesh]

Who needs electricity when you have solar pane- oh wait...

[TLDnoR]

Wow people are clutching their pearls so hard on this topic. Yes there are issues but these are really exciting potentially revolutionary concepts.

[shde]

Seeker has really gone downhill with the clickbait titles. Neither of these companies are anywhere near production ready. No discussion whatsoever on issues or realities to explain why solar powered cars aren't "here" yet. This is more like a 10 minute infomercial/pitch. Should have slapped the "contains advertising" label.

[wheelmangames]

He doesn't know why cars are bricks?
Take your car to the Crash Test track and get back to me...

[benedekfodor]

This is cool, but why isn't it just better to have solar on your house and charge the car whit that electricity? Your car would be safer, and it would benefit the grind your on. ( if your car is full that solar panel is doing nothing)

[frienddotexe]

Are Solar Powered Cars not EV's (electric vehicle)?

[grugnin]

The design of the aptera is absolutely fantastic

[kevinkane]

“Forget EV’s, even though that’s exactly what this video is about, forget them”

[BrianHG.Volume.Fitness]

@3:20, What are you saying. These solar electric vehicles do have lithium batteries in them. Otherwise, not only what would happen when you enter a shadow, or night time, what would be the point of plugging them in. How would these cars capitalize on being parked in the sun if it weren't for charging the included lithium batteries. How on earth do you expect to make it through a tunnel if these solar EV's didn't have any lithium batteries?

[ErebusRox]

I'm an engineer and I love technology, but the solution for this problem is quite simple and do not require any thing new: Compact cities and Bikes.

[djp]

That's not a car. That's an aerodynamic motorcycle.

[melvinmathew]

An alternative already exists, its called trains