While electric car manufacturers kept rolling out electric vehicles throughout the year, there was no dearth of analysts who believed that the electric car revolution would need the grids to deliver more electricity, which won’t always come from renewable sources of energy. Trying to solve the problems associated with electric cars, the year 2010 saw some auto designers come up with concept vehicles that would be able to power themselves using solar-generated electricity. Here we have compiled a list of 15 of the most interesting concept vehicles that will be able to power themselves in a sustainable way.
• YEE Concept Car
is an ingenious vehicle that is capable of transforming into a flying machine instantly. Simply by upturning the front wheels sideways and rear wheels to the outside back, this interesting concept vehicle would take you away from a hectic traffic jam. The concept car has been envisioned to be powered by solar panels spread over its roof.
• Opel Flow concept car
The Opel Flow concept car was designed by Miika Heikkinen to represent Opel in the year 2049. The single-seat zero-emission vehicle allows people to navigate through the city in a relaxed and clean way. The vehicle is intended to be made using lightweight materials and includes clear solar panels as the main power source, which fuels the onboard batteries. In addition to generating solar power for recharging the batteries, the vehicle’s chassis also collects energy from the body’s movement.
• Touch Down Concept
The Touch Down Concept is the brainchild of designer Guo Ke, and was awarded the Silver Award of Best Harmonious Beauty at the First “Science & Future” International Concept Car Design Contest. The completely zero emissions car runs on batteries charged by solar or wind power plants. Touch Down’s rear is equipped with a battery tank which contains a total of six high-capacity batteries that can be removed and recharged independently.
• Nissan iV
Designed by a team of Mazda designers, the Nissan iV will weigh less than 1000lbs and can seat up to four passengers. Aimed to be driven in the year 2035, the super-lightweight concept car will be made from an innovative photovoltaic material that will be 99 percent lighter than glass. The canopy has been designed to harvest solar energy, while providing open-air views to the occupants. The solar generators power a set of bio-batteries that will provide the vehicle a range of about 1200 miles.
• Volkswagen solar-powered supercar
Auto designer Peter Wilkins came up with a concept supercar for Volkswagen that features a zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell powered engine that can also run on solar energy. The upper external surface of the car features integrated photovoltaic cells. The cells produce renewable solar energy and provide power to the car’s four in-wheel motors. Since the concept is a luxury supercar, it will only be built in limited number of about 200 units.
• Fluxion Transport
The Fluxion Transport by designer Slave Popovski has been conceptualized for use in the year 2100, when a new breed of vehicles will be needed. Powered by magnetic flux ion engines that are included in each of the four wheels generate about 200KW of power, which can propel the vehicle to a top speed of 500kph. The vehicle seats four passengers in utmost luxury. Power to the vehicle’s propulsion system is provided by the onboard solar skin array.
• AXA Solar Powered Concept Car
The AXA is the brainchild of auto designer Marian and has been designed for busy urbanities of the future. The elegantly designed vehicle features a rooftop array of photovoltaic panels that provide power for the vehicle’s onboard batteries.
• O2 Concept Car
Conceptualized by Argentine designer Leonardo Achilli, the O2 is a concept car that relies on solar energy and atmospheric carbon dioxide for propulsion. The roof of the concept car is laden with photovoltaic panels that generate electricity on the move. The concept vehicle will generate hydrocarbons – its energy source – and will ooze oxygen into the environment.
• Indoor Solar Car
The Indoor Solar Car by designer Ehab Omaro is a zero-emission vehicle designed to offer a convenient way to travel short distances in particular areas and lanes of a city. The car features an energy-efficient engine that runs though electric energy accumulated from direct charging points and by solar cells.
• Car of Light
The Car of Light by designer Jong Won Lee integrates roof-mounted solar panels and a sun roof that allow the roof to generate renewable electricity and also illuminate the interiors with natural light. The zero-emission concept is powered by electric motors and the entire design is informed by the sun.
• Mo-Du-Lo Concept
The “Mo-Du-Lo” concept car by designer Thierry Dumaine is a modular car that can be operated in three different versions to suit individual requirements. The vehicle is powered by electric batteries, which are juiced up by energy generated by roof-mounted solar panels. This version is suited for long distance travel as the electric motors, solar panels and batteries are pooled to achieve more range.
• Solar Coco Concept EV
Designers Jin Yuanbiao, Gang Tang and Su Sha teamed up to create a futuristic vehicle that gets powered by renewable solar energy. Dubbed Solar Coco, the zero-emission concept electric vehicle features a compact, round-shaped surface that includes an array of solar panels. The onboard photovoltaic panels not only power the car on the move, but also help in recharging onboard batteries when the vehicle is parked.
• SAIC-GM YeZ Concept Car
Designed by a joint venture of SAIC and GM, the YeZ concept vehicle has been developed for the year 2030 and will rely entirely on energy generated from natural resources. The YeZ car features solar panels on its roof and small wind turbines that are located in the wheels. The vehicle also includes an innovative system that captures carbon dioxide from atmosphere and releases fresh oxygen.
• HXO Solar-powered Concept Car
The HXO is the brainchild of designer Wang Yanchao and Zhang Zhizhen and is a futuristic vehicle with no operating costs. The super-efficient vehicle harvests solar energy on the move and utilizes it to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen generated by the onboard system is used to power the vehicle, promising a truly green ride.
• Green Cab
Conceptualized by designer Hazman Malik, the Green Cab concept electric vehicle aims to reduce pollution levels on busy streets. The vehicle hasn’t been designed to provide a luxurious ride, but meets the demands of a simple tourist vehicle. The electric batteries onboard the vehicle can be recharged by an array of solar panels and kinetic energy generators which harvest energy from the wheels.
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