While battery-electric vehicles may be more environmentally friendly than conventional gas-powered models, making them truly “green” requires the use of renewable energy.
Some new models could go to extremes, cutting out the middle man, so to speak, by charging directly from the sun — even as they’re rolling down the road. To log 1,000 km — or more than 600 miles — on a single charge, Mercedes-Benz engineers had to fine-tune every detail as they developed the Vision EQXX concept vehicle.
That meant an extremely aerodynamic body, a hyper-efficient drivetrain, and special, low-rolling resistance tires. They also got a helping hand from the sun.
A solar array covering most of the prototype’s upper surfaces produced more than a kilowatt of energy during a drive from Stuttgart, Germany, to the Mediterranean coast of France, adding enough extra energy for the Vision EQXX to set a record for the longest-ever run by a battery-electric vehicle on a single charge.
While there are no plans to build the EQXX, many of the concepts and technologies developed for the prototype will work their way into future production vehicles, said lead engineer Julien Pillas. And that’s likely to include the solar cell array.
But there, Mercedes will actually be chasing some of its competitors. A handful of manufacturers, including Mazda, have used solar cells on conventional vehicles over the past decade or so. This occurs most often to trickle charge their 12-volt batteries or to run fans to keep a cabin cool on hot summer days.
Now, a number of new battery-electric vehicles are set to come to market using solar power to add to their range — some promising to add as much as 50 miles per day of free energy.
This Lightyear Is Generating a Real Buzz
The Lightyear 0 could be the first of these new products if this Dutch startup meets its latest production target. Based on its original Lightyear One concept, the 0 — as in “Zero” — is a midsize sedan with a highly aero-efficient body and an all-electric drivetrain.
The automaker has done everything possible to deliver what is promised to be as much as 600 miles of range per charge. Among other things, side skirts cover the rear wheel wells supposedly contributing 7 miles to that figure.