Zero emission vehicles are becoming more popular, But running an electric vehicle is nearly impossible in places with limited charging infrastructure. Stella Terra could change this situation.
This khaki green SUV uses solar panels on its sloping roof to charge its electric battery, which means it can travel long distances entirely powered by the sun.
All terrain
The “world’s first solar-powered all-terrain vehicle,” built by a team of students from the Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE), could help connect remote areas “where roads are less developed and energy networks are not as reliable”, as well as provide emergency aid and make deliveries, explains Thieme Bosman, event manager for the team.
The team tested the vehicle in Morocco earlier this month, traveling more than 1,000 kilometers between the country’s northern coast and the Sahara Desert in the south. “Morocco has a huge variety of different landscapes and surfaces in a fairly short distance,” says Bosman, adding that the vehicle was tested “on all types of surfaces that a car like this could encounter.”
Maximum speed of 145 kilometers
The vehicle, approved for road use, reaches a maximum speed of 145 kilometers per hour. On a sunny day, the range of its battery is about 710 kilometers on the road and about 550 kilometers off it., depending on the surface. In cloudy conditions, the team estimates that the range could be 50 kilometers shorter.
Bosman noted that the vehicle had proven to be a third more efficient than expected on the trip, and that its lightweight design made it less likely to get stuck in steep terrain and put less stress on its suspension.
Solar innovation
Electric SUVs are heavier than regular electric vehicles and They require larger, heavier batteries to operate.
“Where the SUV market is currently innovating on previous models, we really start from scratch and design everything ourselves,” says Bosman. Minimizing the weight of the vehicle was essential, and the team of 22 students focused on making each element ultra-efficient. Weighing just 1,200kg, the Stella Terra weighs 25% less than an average SUV.
Design
The aerodynamic design also reduces drag and uses composite materials “light and robust” to reduce weight, explains Bob van Ginkel, technical director of the Stella Terra.
“[Una de] the advantages of solar panels on top is that we can have a much smaller battery because we are charging while driving,” adds van Ginkel.
By being able to go off-road and not needing charging points, drivers of a solar SUV are free to go wherever they want, says van Ginkel. The only restriction, he says, is “What are you going to do when you want to sleep?”