The Venturi Astrolabe: A Street-Legal Formula One Solar Car |
9 Comments |
| By Michael d'Estries in Energy, Solar, Travel | September 21, 2007 | |
With a top speed over over 70mph and a range of almost an equivalent amount, the Veunturi solar car allows you to draw stares while commuting to work in Formula One style. 3.6 sqm of photovoltaic cells operating at 21% efficiency work to power what is considered the first ever commercial vehicle that’s capable of using absolutely no fossil resources. From the site,
“Capable of working with very little energy (16 kWc motor) and of recharging even when in motion, this vehicle of another era does not need to be permanently exposed to the sun in order to move. Its last-generation NiMH Venturi NIV-7 batteries – liquid cooled – in fact enable it to restitute stored energy, whether solar or from the electricity supply, making it the first electro-solar hybrid vehicle. To attain this level of performance while using very little energy, Astrolab has been designed like a Formula 1 : its carbon monocoque chassis is ultra-light and serves as an oversized protection cell ensuring the safety of its occupants in the event of a collision. Its profile recalls the aqua-dynamic design of great racing yachts.”
Loading ...
dane said,
well, im a guy. and i like cars. and that thing looks like shit, and 70mph who in the right mind would call it a formula-1 grade vehicle.. i’d rather kill the planet than roll that thing
Lauren said,
Dane, you’re an idiot.
odograph said,
Dane (above) is funny, and has a point.
But still, it could be fun. I’ve driven Lotus 7’s, and being low to the ground makes 70 mph exciting.
and of course, a real guy wouldn’t roll one.
Milander said,
Dane obviously needs a non-solar powered dick extension to satisfy his ego while he goes through his 4th divorce for being unable to “keep it up”. lol
Ar said,
Milander Rocks. Dane should go make some sports to be elastic enough to suck himself. Since he has no technical idea about even the potentials of what “over over 70 mph” means, He is likely to need that elasticity when he spends time in jail for killing an innocent or something while over speeding. Save the planet, save our souls.
Meh said,
well, i have to say, i agree with both statements. The reality is, solar powered / electronic vehicles will only make a real impact when they appeal to the common consumer. That is hard cold sad fact. Some of us may place our planet before vanity and bolstered self-image, but let’s face it… it’s easier designing an appealing vehicle that is solar / electric driven, then it is trying to rid the world of consumerism & materialism.
Luke said,
the capabilities of the vehicle are not what is the here. it is as capable as it can be considering current tech. the lookis more the point of contention it is unusual yes. ugly no. does it look like a ufo like most concept solar cars do ? not in my opinion. resembles a skate board alot more. which is understandable considering solar cells work best when flat. considering the design constainst in building a solar car they did better than any i have seen to date. would i drive it. BET ON IT. seventy is good enough for freeway cruising! the top speed coukld be a bit higher like say 100 and it would be almost pefect for task for which it has been made.(a removable cockpit would be a nice touch though.)
Amelatu said,
I think it looks awesome.
I would love to turn some heads cruising down the highway or city streets in that badboy…
Where can I buy one?
Cost?
The body is nice, but it doesn’t look too expensive.
At least not compared to the Telsa Motors car which is NICE (and expensive).
stagg said,
I think that it’s true, that not all people would not want to buy a solar vehicle if it looks quite shocking. I sell commercial solar grid systems, and from everyone who consults me is that they are not prepared to spend a large amount of money (which means that they weren’t really that green when they said they wanted one) but also, think about the first petrol powered cars. The first prototypes of street legal petrol cars were nowhere near 70mph. Dependability on the petrol car has lead to development, and yes it’s true, I drive a big car and 70mph does not at all seem like formula one performance, BUT 70mph is a very acceptable everyday driving performance. If dane would not drive under 70mph then god help his neighbourhood.