Solar powered cars: A 70 year-old idea that has yet to reach its full potential
Nearly 70 years ago, the idea of a viable solar car concept was introduced to the world in Chicago, Illinois. While these vehicles started small (literally), they have progressed alongside the sustainable technology segment to a point where scalable solar electric vehicles are closer than ever, but there’s still plenty of room for innovation.
By harnessing the free and abundant energy from our Sun, we are already able to power homes, businesses, and the charging stations that replenish our cars daily, but what about a solar powered car?
In recent years, we’ve seen multiple startups emerge to bring the booming segment of electric vehicles one step further in sustainability, by introducing solar panel technology. Companies like Aptera Motors and Lightyear have tried and failed to reach production, but have found a second life thanks to funding from others who still believe in the technology’s potential.
While we still await scalable solar cars, it’s fascinating to note that these modern day companies were by no means the first to try it. There are other trailblazers that took a crack at it decades before many of us were even born.
On August 31, 1955, GM employee William G. Cobb introduced the “Sunmobile” to a crowd at the General Motors Powerama Auto Show in Chicago, as the world’s first solar-powered automobile. Look closely at the featured image above – notice anything?
Yes, that’s a finger. No, Cobb was not a fairytale-sized giant, I thought the same thing at first. The Sunmobile solar car was actually only 15-inches in length – just a tad too small to fit any human passengers.
No, the visitors to the month-long event were not able to drive the world’s first solar car, but they did marvel at it. More importantly, Cobb’s concept vehicle introduced the world to photovoltaics – the core scientific process of converting the Sun’s rays into electricity. When sunlight hit the 12 photoelectric selenium cells atop the Sunmobile, a zero-emissions electric current actually powered a tiny motor.
This idea inspired many innovators that followed, leading to the first solar car large enough to transport passengers less than a decade later.
The future of solar-powered cars remains partly cloudy
Three years after the debut of the Sunmobile, the International Rectifier Company took a vintage model 1912 Baker electric car (seen above) and converted it to run on photovoltaic energy using a rooftop panel implemented with approximately 10,640 solar cells.
The solar Baker electric car wouldn’t make its public debut until 1962, but still showcased that a passenger vehicle could potentially run entirely from the Sun’s energy. Fifteen years after that, full scale prototypes were demonstrating the same idea, but bolstered by advancements in technology.
This innovation continued through the 1980s as solar powered cars were garnering Guinness World Records for their record breaking trips, including GM’s 1987 Sunraycer. Still, these were one-off competition vehicles and nothing designed for mass consumers.
Today, solar powered cars have gotten a lot sleeker and more efficient thanks to advancements in photovoltaics and aerodynamics, but the world is still nowhere near a future where are able get around using energy from the Sun alone.
Batteries still play a huge role in zero-emissions travel as part of a mobile energy storage system (ESS). That being said, combining solar technology in an EV makes a lot more sense, yet still remains a challenge to deliver.
Companies like Winnebago have implemented solar panels to RV roofs, but they only garner enough energy to power the electronics within the RV, not propel the vehicle itself. Other companies like Lightyear and Aptera have produced much more efficient solar technology, but still – those solar EVs require several hours, if not days in the Sun, to replenish enough energy back.
Furthermore, the funding needed to scale and mass produce electric cars bolstered by solar technology is so great, many of these startups have yet to deliver a production vehicle.
The idea of a 100% solar passenger car that can deliver the performance of a traditional vehicle may not truly ever be possible, but look how far the idea has come since 1955. Solar cell technology will only improve in the future and we are sure to, at the very least, see the technology recharging our vehicle batteries.
It’s an exciting evolution to follow in clean mobility, and it’s awe-inspiring to think how much the technology will have improved in another 70 years. I’ll check back in then – promise.
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A new, all electric Peterbilt 579EV is in-service at Honda’s Lincoln, Alabama assembly plant, where it’s busy transporting newly-built Honda cars from the plant to a nearby railhead for shipment to dealers across the country.
Part of a pilot program between Honda, Alabama Power, and Virginia Transportation Corp., the new electric semi truck will help stakeholders gather data about the practicality and performance of the battery-powered Pete and use it to generate case studies for broader electrification initiatives. Other supporters of the pilot project include the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition and, of course, Peterbilt.
“We remain committed to delivering for our customers and the environment,” offered Leo Doire, owner and CEO of Virginia Transportation Corp. “Our new Peterbilt 579EV model will be tested to determine how well it performs against the high productivity demands of our operations. The partners we have at the table will help us maximize this opportunity and prepare to scale up if we get the results we are hoping for.”
The truck itself has been spec’ed to be perfect for the kind of short haul and drayage applications Honda has in mind. This particular Peterbilt 579EV is fitted with PACCAR’s 400 kWh battery and a 670 hp electric motor good for an impressive 2,050 lb-ft of peak torque at 0 rpm.
The truck offers 150 miles of operating range and can be charged in about 3 hours on a 120 kW charger installed specifically for that purpose. A charger, it should be noted, that was partially paid for by Alabama Power.
“Alabama Power’s ‘Make Ready’ program provides businesses with valuable rebates to help reduce the upfront costs of installing EV infrastructure,” says Alabama Power Electric Transportation Manager Hasin Gandhakwala. “We are committed to partnering with customers who are exploring state and federal grant opportunities. Alabama Power is dedicated to advancing EV technologies to better serve the needs of our customers.”
The electric semi is a continuation of a decarbonization project Honda initiated in 2011, when the company recruited Virginia Transport Corp. to help find ways to reduce emissions at its Alabama facilities. VTC’s efforts have led to changes that displaced more than 475,000 gallons of diesel in 2023 alone.
Electrek’s Take
With the big Pete’s 82,000 lb. GVWR and 150 miles of range between charging sessions, it seems like these guys will be making a lot of back-and-forth runs between the Honda plant and the CSX terminal to me. Here’s hoping they see the benefits of electrifying the rest of their vehicle transport fleets somewhat sooner than later.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Alabama Power.
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On today’s episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got big solar breaking ground all over, despite the incoming administration’s supposed lack of love for home-grown clean energy. Our guests today walk us through home solar, energy storage, and more.
Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations sitewide. Learn more by clicking here.
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Read more: Saldivar’s Trucking: first owner-operator to deploy Volvo VNR Electric semi.
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Tesla is now using ‘Tesla Electric’, its electric utility service in Texas, to help sell cars with a new incentive.
After gaining experience through its virtual power plants (VPPs), Tesla took things a step further with the launch of “Tesla Electric” back in 2022.
Instead of reacting to specific “events” and providing services to your local electric utilities, as Tesla Powerwall owners have done in VPPs in California, Australia, and a few other markets, Tesla Electric is actively and automatically buying and selling electricity for Tesla Powerwall owners – providing a buffer against peak prices.
The company is essentially becoming an energy retailer.
Tesla Electric is currently only available to Powerwall owners in Texas and the UK, but the company has plans to expand its products through this new division.
The company has been growing its Tesla Electric userbase in Texas and now it plans to use it to help sell cars.
Tesla has two different plans under the program:
| Feature | Tesla Electric Fixed Plan | Tesla Electric Dynamic Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Structure | Competitive fixed rate for electricity, with a discounted rate during low-cost hours. | Competitive variable rate, with higher rates during peak demand periods. |
| Contract Term | 12-month commitment. | Month-to-month flexibility. |
| Unlimited Vehicle Charging | Available for an additional $15/month per vehicle, allowing unlimited charging. | Available for an additional $25/month per vehicle, allowing unlimited charging. |
| Powerwall Credits | Earn $400 credit per year per Powerwall by participating in the Tesla Virtual Power Plant, with Tesla managing the Powerwall to share energy with the grid when needed. | Earn $120 credit per year per Powerwall by participating in the Tesla Virtual Power Plant, with the customer managing the Powerwall to optimize earnings. |
| Energy Sharing with Grid | Sell energy back to the grid at a fixed rate per kWh. | Sell energy back to the grid at 90% of the real-time market price per kWh. |
The first one enable you to charge your electric car for just $15 a month.
With this new incentive, Tesla is brining that down to $5 a month for a year for people who take delivery by the end of the year:
Get $5/mo Unlimited Overnight Charging With Tesla
To get unlimited overnight charging for $5 per month per vehicle for a full year, you must complete the following steps by December 31, 2024:
- Order and take delivery of a new Tesla vehicle
- Sign up for the Tesla Electric Fixed Plan
To be eligible, you need to live in an area of Texas that allows you to choose your electricity provider, be a new Tesla Electric member and take delivery of a new Tesla vehicle. Promotion is subject to change at any time.
This appear to be part of Tesla’s effort to deliver a record number of more than 515,000 vehicles in Q4 in order for its annual deliveries not to be down for the full year.
ver the last few weeks, we have been reporting on a series of sale incentives that Tesla has put in place to make sure it has the demand to achieve this record quarter.
In Europe, it includes a year of free Supercharging and heavy discounts.
In the US, there are also good inventory discounts, 3 months of free Supercharger and FSD, FSD transfer, and more.
And everywhere, Tesla is heavily subsidizing loans with lower interest rates.
But it’s the first time that Tesla is using such a targeted incentive, at the state level, and using its Tesla Electric program.
It’s interesting.
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