Article Image

IPFS News Link • Transportation

Four-seat electric sedan on its way to compete in 3,000 km solar race

• http://newatlas.com, Paul Ridden

 The four-seat electric sedan rocks 284 microcrystalline solar cells on the upper surfaces of the vehicle, giving a peak output of 1.1 kW, and has been designed for "practicality, speed and endurance." Such aspects will be tested to their limits during the 3,021 km (1,877 mi) race from Darwin to Adelaide.

The 6th generation vehicle, with previous creations having secured world speed records for an electric vehicle in 2011 and 2014, has been designed and built by undergraduate student members of the Sunswift solar racing team at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), which was founded back in 1995. It's due to battle it out for the top spot against 47 teams from 21 nations in this year's Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, which starts on October 8.

"Violet looks like a family sedan, but uses as much power as a four-slice toaster," said team leader Simba Kuestler. "She's got entertainment and air conditioning systems, including navigation, reverse camera parking sensors, and there's even Wi-Fi aboard. And she's got plenty of front and rear boot space."


www.universityofreason.com/a/29887/KWADzukm