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Stella, World's First Solar Powered Family Car
Solar powered concept vehicles usually have been small, able to carry only the driver and at most a co-passenger. This is natural since solar powered vehicles development nascent. Also, most of these concept vehicles are developed with the ability to travel only short distances. This particular solar power driven concept vehicle is not like others though.
Stella as it is called, has been developed by Solar Team Eindhoven, a student group from Eindhoven University, Netherlands. Stella is being referred to as the world's first solar powered family car capable of carrying four passengers. The capabilities of Stella will be on display later this year as she takes part in the 2013 World Solar Challenge.
All Images © bart van overbeeke / Solar Team Eindhoven
Developed by Solar Team Eindhoven from Eindhoven University, Netherlands, Stella is the world's first solar powered family car.
What's unique about Stella is that she is an ‘energy positive' vehicle. Meaning, the car utilises less energy than what the solar panels gather.
The excess energy from the photo-voltaic panels are stored in a battery, which can then be released back to the power grid.
Stella has a strange design, which is to accommodate the roof mounted solar panels and due to its aerodynamic design.
Stella has been constructed using lightweight material such as carbon fiber and aluminium, which allows her to be highly energy efficient.
The claimed range of Stella is 600 km.
Measuring 4.5 metres long, 1.65 metres wide and tipping the scales at just 380 kg, Stella is extremely light, but can still carry four people and even has a boot for luggage.
The students have done away with traditional physical buttons in the cockpit and have instead developed LED indicators and touch screen display units.
Another interesting technology incorporated is the innovative steering wheel, which contracts and expands, depending on the speed, to alert the driver.
Stella will participate at the 2013 World Solar Challenge in Australia.
The race begins on October 6 and will go on till the 13th as participants travel across the Australian outback.
Due to Stella's unique design and form factor, she has been included in the Cruiser Class.
Cruiser Class participants are judged not on their speed, but on how practical and how energy efficient the vehicle is.
The race starts in Adelaide in Northern Australia and ends in Darwin, at the continent's southern edge. The total distance covered would be 3,000 km.
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