Solar Powered Cars

If you think the solar power car is in the distant future you may be surprised to know that they already exist... in more than one form.

In our quest for a cleaner earth, transportation becomes a subject of close scrutiny. An electric car can be turned into a solar power with a simple change.

Solar Powered Automobiles

Already in use in cross continent races, specially designed solar powered cars are equipped with solar cells that power a driver and vehicle over almost 2,500 miles of terrain with no fuel stops. The race takes days and the sleek vehicles are propelled with only the power of the sun. Capable of traveling consistently at speeds exceeding 65 miles per hour these vehicles have proved that the solar power car is a viable alternative.





Prototypes of solar powered passenger cars are already in existence and with the recent success of nanosolar technology mainstream solar powered automobiles are almost certain to make an appearance by 2010.

But there's more... the solar powered car already exists in the guise of the electric car. It's all about where the energy comes from.

Solar Powered Electric Car

Most people who buy an electric vehicle do so with a desire to reduce their contribution of harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Ever aware of the environmental pickle we've created for ourselves we're making better choices and are more aware of the impact vehicles make on our atmosphere.

Using sources of energy that were created by burning fossil fuels is not really addressing the issue of carbon emissions. Just because the car itself creates zero emissions doesn't necessarily mean that there are none created in the making of the power.


If the energy is produced by burning fossil fuels it's already made a harmful contribution to the environment before you've even put it into your batteries.

There's more than one way to make a solar powered car

Here's a great solution:

Plug an electric vehicle into a source of solar power and voila' you have a solar powered car that adresses all of your carbon concerns.

Any electric car can be a solar power car if the electricity used to power it is derived from the sun. Add a few photovoltaic panels to your garage roof or increase the size of your existing array to produce a little more energy than your house needs. The power that they produce can be used to re-energize your car batteries when the car is parked.

Tesla makes an absolutely yummy electric car. The cost is just over $105,000 USD and there is a waiting list of over a year to procure your mobile masterpiece.

Here's a look:

So when you're thinking solar powered cars don't rule out the electric car fed exclusively on a diet of solar energy.