Electric cars running on solar power are no longer just a concept but are now a reality. Harvesting energy from sunlight and driving vehicles with it is an interesting concept and many companies and startups around the world are working on this technology. Students at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands have developed an electric SUV that has achieved the unique feat of covering a distance of 1,000 kilometers on solar power alone.
A solar-powered electric SUV named Stella Terra recently covered a distance of 1,000 km through the challenging Sahara desert. The manufacturers claim that the electric SUV has covered this entire distance entirely on solar energy. Also, it claims to be the world’s first solar-powered off-road EV.
The manufacturers have claimed that despite being a small and light EV, the Stella Terra is a well-capable vehicle. The beauty of this solar power technology is that it comes with a greatly extended range and capabilities even in rugged off-road conditions. The EV claims to be capable of traveling 710 kilometers on a sunny day using solar power.
Manufacturers have claimed that the technology used in the Stella Terra, coupled with the EV’s lightweight structure along with incredibly efficient solar panels, enables the car to achieve long ranges. Solar panels of the car are installed on the bonnet and roof so that they can capture energy directly from the sun’s rays.
Stella Terra started its journey from the northern coast of Morocco and traveled through the mountains to reach the Sahara Desert. This street-legal EV is claimed to come with a top speed of 145 km/h and weighs just 1,200 kg thanks to its small battery pack.
The impressive range and self-reliance of the Stella Terra EV make it ideally suited for remote areas with underdeveloped roads and unreliable energy grids.
