The Stella is an awesome example of what can be done. Aside from what
Lee says, which I think is one area of resistance, another big problem
is need for a variety of uses.
What I mean is I (or you or the huddling masses...) want something that
works for a 15 mile solo commute, works to take the family out to
dinner, works to go skiing (hiking, fishing, hunting, ...) for the day,
and works to go out of town for the weekend. I think the Stella might be
able to do the first two, for a large percentage of people. The latter
two? I doubt it.
Now, for going out of town, it wouldn't be too hard to make arrangements
to easily pick up a rental. The other case gets harder. You have a lot
of elevation gain, meaning you'll need a pretty hefty battery since
solar isn't going to be anywhere near adequate. That means the car gets
super heavy - like a Tesla - and now the benefits of the Stella are
impossible. This usage, too, could be handled by a rental. But I doubt
most people are willing add two hours to an already long day in order to
use a rental. On top of that, most rental companies don't permit you to
drive on unpaved roads.
If we, eventually, have autonomous vehicles, perhaps you'll be able to
own a car for your special purpose activities and fetch one for your
daily usage. Then, Stella-like vehicles become a real option, I think.
Peri
------ Original Message ------
From: "Lee Hart via EV" <ev@lists.evdl.org>
To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <ev@lists.evdl.org>
Cc: "Lee Hart" <leeah...@earthlink.net>
Sent: 21-Oct-18 2:56:18 PM
Subject: Re: [EVDL] EVLN: The physics of slapping solar panels on cars
Larry Gales via EV wrote:
When I look at the Stella Lux and Stella Vie, I get very different
results
from the negative views of solar powered cars. I start with the
assumption
that the Dutch students who have won most of the solar car records are
not
actually lying.
The problem is that most people assume that EVs must be exactly like
ICEs. Typical ICEs today weigh a ton or more, and have the aerodynamics
of a brick. All those edgy lines, huge grilles, big fat tires, and
rough bottom mean it takes lot of horsepower to drag it down the road.
The automakers are building EVs the same way. Big, heavy, poor
aerodynamics.
But there are other ways to do it. Race cars and airplanes are much
lighter, and have aerodynamics based on performance rather than
styling. Amory Lovins has been championing the "hypercar" concept for
decades. The basic idea is that if you halve the weight, and cut the
aerodynamic losses in half, it takes 1/4th as much energy to push it
down the road. Yet it can be just as strong and safe, by using modern
materials and construction techniques.
EVs like Stella Lux and Stella Vie demonstrate how successful this
strategy can be. When you have a 4-passenger car that weighs 826 lbs
and 1/3 the aerodynamic losses, solar power becomes a viable way to
power it!
-- Obsolete (Ob-so-LETE). Adjective. 1. Something that is simple,
reliable, straightforward, readily available, easy to use, and
affordable. 2. Not what the salesman wants you to buy.
--
Lee Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, www.sunrise-ev.com
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