While the discussion around the future of transport rightfully centres on electric vehicles and the resources required to run them, there is one resource that is on the fringes of discussion but deserves more attention.
A group of students in the Netherlands could change the zeitgeist around electric vehicle manufacture with one resource that is accessible everywhere.
The sun.
The students have made a solar-powered car that recently completed a 1,000-kilometre journey through some of the toughest terrain Morocco has to offer.
The car, powered by nothing but the sun (a great Sting album), travelled through the northern coast of Morocco to the Sahara Desert without needing a charging station even once and relying only on highly efficient solar panels.
Known as the Stella Terra, it has no need for charging stations and can travel through remote locations where charging stations are non-existent or scarce.
The vehicle's solar panels are so efficient, they surprised even their creators.
The Eindhoven University of Technology students are part of a university collective known as Solar Team Eindhoven.
They claim their car is around 33% more efficient than expected, with a range of at least 710 kilometres on a sunny day and 660 kilometres when overcast on a flat road.
The vehicle, however, has been created as an off-road EV that can tackle multiple terrains. Its off-road range is a still impressive approximate of 550 kilometres when the weather is favourable.
Ahead of its time
Team manager Wisse Bos said the technology was a decade ahead of anything else.
"It was an incredible trip with a positive ending. Stella Terra's efficiency was hard to predict. That's why we weren't sure if we would make it on solar power. During the ride, Stella Terra turned out to use 30% less energy than expected. We were able to drive the entire trip on the sun's energy and did not depend on charging stations," Bos said.
“Stella Terra must withstand the harsh conditions of off-roading while remaining efficient and light enough to be powered by the sun. That is why we had to design almost everything for Stella Terra ourselves, from the suspension to the inverters for the solar panels. We are pushing the boundaries of technology.”
The car’s custom-made converter was found to be 97% efficient in turning sunlight harvested by the roof-fitted solar panels into electricity.
The majority of solar panels and converters in today's market offer efficiency rates between 15% and 20%, with the best-performing units reaching up to 45% efficiency. In contrast, the solar system on the Stella Terra is over twice as efficient in converting sunlight to electricity compared to currently available products.
However, the students' engineering achievements extend beyond energy efficiency. To ensure suitability for off-road conditions, the vehicle was designed to weigh a mere 1,200 kilograms, a notable departure from conventional electric vehicles (EVs). The smaller, lighter battery charges while the car is in motion, addressing a common issue of weight in most EVs.
The Terra distinguishes itself as a lightweight contender in the EV segment, making it highly capable off-road. Despite its compact build, the vehicle doesn't compromise on features, offering fully reclinable seats that convert into a bed for multi-day trips. The Terra also possesses significant charging capabilities, enabling the charging of peripheral devices like phones and cameras.
Bos said, “We hope this can be an inspiration to car manufacturers such as Land Rover and BMW to make it a more sustainable industry. The car was actually very comfortable in the off-road conditions as it is very light and does not get stuck.”
“We are pushing the boundaries of technology. With Stella Terra, we want to demonstrate that the transition to a sustainable future offers reasons for optimism.”
The Stella Terra team operates on a not-for-profit basis, depending largely on sponsorships for funding. A spokesperson indicated that the total project cost could not be disclosed.
However, Atlas Technologies, a subsidiary of Netherlands-based Lightyear, faced financial obstacles in its previous endeavour to penetrate the automotive market.
The company initially aimed to produce solar-electric cars priced at €500,000 (A$830,586.98) but declared bankruptcy due to insufficient orders.
Atlas Technologies has since resurfaced with a new model, priced at US$40,000 (A$62,888) per vehicle, boasting a range of approximately 500 miles between charges.