Classic 1966 VW bus with a solar powered drivetrain

A common idea is: “Put solar panels on top of an electric vehicle & drive without recharging.” The vast majority of vehicles which do this with any degree of success have just one seat & look something like this:


Solar racers
Credit: University of California Irvine

Pictured below is a Volkswagen van (a.k.a. bus, micro bus, Microbus, Kombi Van etc.) which has been fitted with a solar electric drivetrain. Although it has a roof area much larger than a sedan, in order to have enough solar collection area, the solar panels have extreme overhangs, particularly at the rear, to power, "short trips within the city", (Cambridge, Massachusetts).


Credit: Green Car Reports

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