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“This System Turns Any EV Into a Solar Vehicle”: Revolutionary Tech Lets Electric Cars Recharge Themselves While Driving

Posted by TylerFortier_Photo@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 16 comments

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Visible_Quarter_8129@reddit

Add a few potatoes plugged in for even more charge power 
View on Reddit #59595800

FuzzelFox@reddit

Part of the problems with technological claims like this is that if this were truly, truly viable, they wouldn't be trying to sell it to you as an aftermarket add-on. They'd refuse to tell the public at all and quietly contact the likes of Tesla/GM/Ford/etc in order to sell the tech to them first. If they don't buy into it then it's likely shit and not worth their money or time, so why would it be for me?
View on Reddit #59391641

Skeptical0ptimist@reddit

Mmm. Has the look of a ‘cope cage’ on top of a T-90.
View on Reddit #59269638

Snazzy21@reddit

Tech bros bolt solar panel to a roof rack. Congratulations, you've done exactly what overlanders do. This has been a concept for over 30 years, I've seen it on Tomorrows World type shows. The scam DC Solar claimed they did this I think there's an educational ad on Fox Kids from 1993 where they have school children help create concepts like this.
View on Reddit #59253805

strongmanass@reddit

The Aptera we have at home (or at all).  > This setup allows continual energy generation without compromising vehicle aerodynamics. Doubt. So then the question is, how much range is actually gained? Also > the DartSolar can consistently produce around 5 kWh of electricity daily It's a 0.96 kW array. The unspoken part of that 5 kWh is that it assumes 5 sun hours, which obviously isn't always the case. It has the same problem all car solar arrays have. Energy density isn't great enough for any meaningful gain for the price.
View on Reddit #59234008

su1ac0@reddit

And when even an empty bike rack costs you 25% efficiency does this thing even come close to paying for its own loss of aero?
View on Reddit #59234474

strongmanass@reddit

Maybe on an early Nissan Leaf. But a $3K accessory on a $4K car giant seem like good value. 
View on Reddit #59238353

su1ac0@reddit

Millions of girlfriends' tax refund wasted
View on Reddit #59248900

NorCalAthlete@reddit

Lol no
View on Reddit #59236320

triplevanos@reddit

These never have worked because the math doesn’t work. 6 panels * 160 W * 8 hours of sun = 7680 Wh = 7.7kWh A common EV battery is 85kWh. So if 8 hours a day you get pure direct sunlight onto the panels, you could only charge up 9% of the battery. No efficiency considerations taken. The truth is, it makes more sense to have a large solar array on your house/property that can collect as much solar energy as possible and use some of that to charge your car up when you’re at home. At the car level, you just want to maximize aerodynamics and efficiency to reduce your battery demand.
View on Reddit #59242376

_galaga_@reddit

Totally makes sense to add solar charging when the tech is cheap enough to integrate into a standard roof but I wouldn't expect the juice to do much except offset running accessories a bit.
View on Reddit #59237306

coherent-rambling@reddit

I have big, big doubts about anyone claiming to meaningfully extend range with solar cells while driving. But I do think it would be nice to have some panels on your EV regardless. Depending on how much power was available, the car could run a fan or even idle the air conditioning to keep the cabin temperature and battery from getting completely hot/cold. That would reduce the pre-conditioning load on the main battery, and probably also prolong the battery lifespan.
View on Reddit #59235483

Absurdity_Everywhere@reddit

Doesn’t the Prius have something like that?
View on Reddit #59236255

SUPREMACY_SAD_AI@reddit

local man straps solar panels to electric car
View on Reddit #59233680

magnament@reddit

Wow 200w charging
View on Reddit #59234181

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