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Is it possible to travel 15,000 kilometers with an electric car without charging? This is just what a team of scientists is testing.
Over the last decade, the electric car has been increasing its commitment as an alternative technology to conventional internal combustion. This has caused all eyes to be focused on the solutions proposed by companies like Tesla. The company, always a visionary in the automotive industry, is being study by multiple research teams to learn what other technologies and enhancements can be leveraged in the future.
Sustainable mobility is one of the most important branches of technology in the medium term. In this sense, it is appropriate squeeze even more solutions in terms of 0 emissions, so increasing the range of electric cars is a priority. In this sense, one of the alternatives that is gaining weight is the introduction of solar panels in the bodywork as equipment. Now, is it feasible? Models like the Lightyear One or the Sono Sion are already a reality.
One of the latest experiments in the matter is currently underway in Australia. There, a team of scientists intends to carry out a unique experiment; incorporate solar panels into the bodywork on a Tesla Model 3 to avoid dependency on an electric charger. The objective would be to make a journey of 15,000 kilometers, an experience to demonstrate the value of this technology in the automobile industry.
Let us see, therefore, What are the characteristics that best define this solution, why it is a proposal that could change the vision of the sector and, of course, to what extent the incorporation of this innovation can be an important factor when determining the gain of considerable autonomy. Here are the keys to one of the most interesting projects in this regard.
The introduction of solar panels as a key element of sustainability
The project in question, known as Charge Around Australia, aims to tour all of Australia under special conditions. Traveling a total of 15,100 kilometers, that is, about 9,400 miles, without the need to charge in a conventional outlet would serve to demonstrate the feasibility of photovoltaics in the automotive Even so, everything seems to indicate that it is a proposal that will not be easy to achieve. After all, there are several keys to value.
The team of researchers will carry out the experiment with a Tesla Model 3. Reuters
The mode of operation will be very simple. The main variable is related to the incorporation of a whole series of solar panels throughout the bodywork. In this way, around 18 meters of plates would be used. However, The main peculiarity is that it is a technology which is specially designed to be light. In fact, a new generation of printed solar panels will be used, courtesy of inventor Paul Dastoor.
Among the qualities of this variant, the production cost is especially striking, since it would be only 10 dollars per square meter. In the same way, to the touch it offers a fundamental flexibility, since it will be possible adapt the solar panels to the bodywork assemblyincluding those angles in which it would be more difficult to incorporate a technology of this kind due to technical difficulties.
Along the way, the efficiency of the technology will be checked and it will be possible to analyze to what extent it is an efficient alternative for its standardization in the automobile industry. If the obtaining of notable autonomy quotas is confirmed, we could be facing a solution with great commercial potential, since competitive prices could be applied due to its low production costs.
A route that will allow expanding the idea of ​​solar panels in the automotive industry
In addition to carrying out the experiment to check the feasibility of installing solar panels on car bodies, this program will help more users to know that this is currently being tested. Therefore, in the 84 days that the entire test is expected to be completed, talks will be held in a total of 60 educational centers. This has been confirmed by the team of researchers, according to Reuters.
It is expected that this project can serve as a test bed in order to introduce new equipment to extend autonomy of the electric car and depend, to a lesser extent, on the availability of a conventional charging source. After all, this is one of the reasons why this technology is not having the growth that could be expected to make the car park more sustainable.
Well, will you buy your next car with solar panels on the body? This is something that is not new, since some models included this exclusive option in order to support the conventional battery. Its high price for the public, however, made it very difficult to market. This could therefore be the definitive test to demonstrate the viability of this solution in the market.
Related topics: Motor
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