Important Innovations

  Squad Mobility's Squad Car                                                Source: Squad Mobility World's First Solar City Car  Netherlands-based Squad Mobility's $6,250 solar electric car will start selling in the United States in 2023.  It is also available in Europe. The Squad is a fresh and inexpensive solution to driving green with zero emissions.  For many consumers it may provide an alternative and answer their concern over the high cost of buying a solar electric car, some of which exceed $100,000. Squad calls the vehicle the world's first solar city car.   US Interest The Dutch company says it has particularly strong interest in the vehicle from groups in the US.  The demand is coming from inner cities, hotels, resorts, tourist destinations, senior communities, college campuses and ride sharing platforms. Such locations and destinations host a lot of short distance travel, and the Squad is offering an innovative, compact and emissions free fit. Tech Specs Squa

  Global Pursuit of Zero Emissions Driving                          Source:  Tshwane University of Technology Unique Solar Car Technology From a University Faculty and students at South Africa's Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) have invented a fourth-generation solar car, called Sunchaser 4. They have been developing this innovative piece of green technology since 2014.  Sunchaser 4 is successfully being driven to locations around Africa to showcase the power of solar driving technology and to get young people, particularly school children, excited about the valuable applications of renewable energy.  The very unusual looking and uniquely designed vehicle is currently being showcased in Namibia. The vehicle has won international awards and delivers the longest distance and lowest energy use of any solar car in Africa.  Sunchaser 4 is yet another example of the global pursuit of zero emissions, solar powered vehicles that travel in harmony with nature, instead of contaminating

  Lightyear One Solar Powered Car                                          Source:  Lightyear One From the Netherlands, A Powerful, Long Range, Efficient Solar Car Dutch startup Lightyear is building solar powered vehicles that are more efficient than electric vehicles.  The Lightyear One solar car gets a much longer range and uses significantly less energy than an average EV.  Cofounder and Chief Design Officer of Lightyear Koen van Ham believes that solar powered vehicles will help "democratize mobility".  The Lightyear One solar car has lightweight panels built into the roof and hood.  The car soaks in energy from the Sun automatically whether driving or parked. It is far less dependent on charging stations than a standard EV. Production on it starts in 2022. Design & Technology Breakthroughs The design and technologies in the Lightyear One are breakthrough for maximum efficiency.  The car consumes 83 wh/kh of energy.  That is two to three times less energy than the av

  UC Berkeley Students' Solar Car Zephyr                                                                      Source:  UC Berkeley Heading into Road Race Competition at the American Solar Challenge Engineering students at UC Berkeley have built a road-ready, registered solar car called Zephyr.  To say the least, the vehicle is eye-catching.  It closely resembles a flying saucer.  But, it is a fully functional solar/electric powered car. Zephyr has been cleared for driving and has a California license plate.  The UC Berkeley student inventors are putting Zephyr into national competition.  It's heading for the 5 day, 1,000 mile road race between Independence, Missouri and Las Vegas, N.M. called the American Solar Challenge, which is a race among solar cars for their solar power endurance. Unique & One-of-a-Kind One of the creators, recent graduate Alexander Zerkle, says that the EV "is a hand-made, unique, one-of-a-kind car".  He says it looks like a flying saucer b

  UC Berkeley Students' Solar Car Zephyr                                                                      Source:  UC Berkeley Heading into Road Race Competition at the American Solar Challenge Engineering students at UC Berkeley have built a road-ready, registered solar car called Zephyr.  To say the least, the vehicle is eye-catching.  It closely resembles a flying saucer.  But, it is a fully functional solar/electric powered car. Zephyr has been cleared for driving and has a California license plate.  The UC Berkeley student inventors are putting Zephyr into national competition.  It's heading for the 5 day, 1,000 mile road race between Independence, Missouri and Las Vegas, N.M. called the American Solar Challenge, which is a race among solar cars for their solar power endurance. Unique & One-of-a-Kind One of the creators, recent graduate Alexander Zerkle, says that the EV "is a hand-made, unique, one-of-a-kind car".  He says it looks like a flying saucer b

  The Aptera Sol Solar/Electric 3-Wheel Car s                                                                                 Source:  Aptera Motors Future of Solar Driving About to Enter the Global Market The Aptera Sol solar/electric, 3 wheel car is close to entering the global automotive, zero emissions market.  It is expected to hit the road in late 2021 or early 2022.  The vehicle can operate on only power from the Sun.  It is super lightweight and highly efficient with an ultra futuristic design.  The San Diego based company, Aptera Motors, says the vehicle has a range of 1,000 miles.  For a normal, daily commute of 40 miles, the solar panel alone can provide most of the power to drive.  Aptera says the panels are designed to harvest enough sunlight to power over 11,000 miles a year in most regions. It is supplemented by electric charging to its battery.  It is a zero emissions, green vehicle on three wheels and it is the essence of breakthrough automotive innovation. Look Inside