Is the electric car with solar panels ready for the market? The Lightyear One just hit the table with its latest test. </p><div>
Since the electric car has achieved sales figures that allow it to dream of being an alternative to conventional options, the installation of solar panels has become an attractive alternative to develop. However, it is not an easy process, as implies multiple changes to be made Due to technical complications, limitations in obtaining energy.
Even so, there are certain projects that have proven to be very efficient in this regard. Even so, there is still no model on the market that has this technology as one of the first sources of obtaining electrical energy. Among the most outstanding programs today, special mention should be made of the one carried out by Sono Motors and of course the Lightyear One.
The electric car with solar panels is already a reality
The latter is in a very advanced stage of development. This manufacturer draws attention, mainly, for having a complete paneling of the body, which allows it to extend the autonomy a few tens of kilometers every day. Even so, the truth is that has a whole series of additional solutions that are close to reaching the market.
It is one of the technologies that has managed to survive the economic problems that have often plagued these proposals with no apparent commercial path. In this particular case, it has been possible to continue thanks to commitment of a team of highly committed professionals. Now, thanks to the intense effort, it has been possible to establish a differential record in autonomy.
Let’s see, therefore, why the Lightyear One is one of the most prominent cars when it comes to futuristic electric cars, why the technology implanted in its body can do it a great favor to be competitive and, of course, what reading must be done regarding the autonomy registers achieved. Are we facing a potential competitor of the Tesla Model S?
Installing solar panels to extend autonomy is a reality
Have you ever imagined to what extent it would be possible to gain autonomy to the electric car without plugs in between? The installation of solar panels is an alternative that, as technology improves, it increases the possibilities to see it in more cars in the future. Here is the best example to demonstrate the path that this innovation has in the future.
As you can read on the specialized portal InsideEV’s, a total of 710 kilometers have been covered with a 60 kWh battery pack. This has been possible keeping a constant speed of circulation of about 85 km / h. It is, therefore, a brand that can anticipate a before and after within this curious company.
Traveling 710 kilometers with 60 kWh does not fall within the manufacturers’ plans
To achieve these historical records, it was possible to establish a consumption of about 8.5 kWh / 100 km, which is a figure much lower than what any other alternative in the current market would achieve. In fact, up to a record of double what was achieved it would have meant figures within normal parameters. Not surprisingly, engineering tricks seem to be behind these brands.
It has not been specified that tricks have been able to derive in these numbers, but impossible air penetration coefficients, the presence of ultra-efficient tires or the use of fairing on the rear axle are some proofs of it. Regarding the roof, which includes a large system of solar panels, it contributes to incorporate up to 3.45 additional kWh to the set.
The contribution of the solar panel is still far from efficient
Taking a quick look at the consumption, and knowing the battery capacity provided by the solar roof, after the test it has been determined that 40 extra kilometers have been achieved thanks to the solar panel. Taking into account that this is the main differentiation of the model In the face of theoretical competition, it seems clear that there is still much progress to be made in this area.
It is, therefore, a record that can have a long journey for those users who barely circulate a few dozen kilometers a day. In these cases, most likely, no plug the vehicle into the conventional power. Even so, it should be noted that this is a solution that does not seem to be very applicable even today. Its development should improve in the future.
Therefore, we will have to wait a while to know if we are at the beginning of a mobility in which solar energy is sufficient to be able to move from one place to another. However, it is expected that over the next few months we will be able to have access to improvements that allow autonomy to be made possible more developed in this matter.