Students of the Stanford Car Project, an independent group of students, building solar-powered race cars since 1989, claim to have created a completely solar-powered car with excellent aerodynamics. As a part of a world solar challenge, a 2000-mile journey will be made through the outskirts of Australia in this vehicle.
This vehicle is shaped like a tear-drop and curvy to lessen the effects of the drag. Gliding at 55 miles per hour (89 km/per hour) this automobile is powered by just one pack of battery. This car has a lighter body and is topped with solar panels to generate the needed electricity for the Australian trip.
During the Australian trip, the team of students will trail the solar car in a computer equipped trail car that will show the real-time energy and expenditures of the solar car. Then, the crew will analyze the data to make sure that the solar car runs at full-speed when the sun exposure is highest.
Although this car is a well-designed concept, it is not suitable for everyday usage. Besides, this car is too fragile for it to survive a road crash and therefore, during the world solar challenge, the vehicle had to be escorted. Thus, there is a possible guarantee that the car won’t make the road as it can deal with issues related to first street driving safety.
On the other hand, the team of engineers responsible for this project believes that they can give a purpose to the old design by making the model more sustainable and efficient.
