Build your very own solar powered car!
With so few alternative fuel vehicles out there, and the long waiting lists to get them, any opportunity to get your hands on a green machine can’t be overlooked.
There are a number of ways to do-it-yourself: biodiesel, hydrogen, ethanol. But here’s a new one-a solar powered car.
The solar car is the passion of Art Haines, who decided to take matters into his own hands when the car companies were dragging their feet.
With the help of his students, Haines has developed a kit that allows anyone to drive for free in a zero pollution car, at a cost of just about 0.01/mile.
Yep, that’s 1 cent a mile. The car is called the Solar Neighborhood Electric Vehicle prototype.
The cars are built from a somwhat odd collection of materials, including styrofoam and ABS plastic.
They are very lightweight, so as to conserve power, but still meet all the basic standards for a road-worthy car.
The vehicles are street legal and have all the things you expect when you purchase a car windshield wipers, seat belts, turn signals, headlights and tail lights.
They even use disc brakes. The cars have a top speed of 25mph, which means that, in most states, they can be driven on any road with a speed limit of less than 35mph.
But you do need to check your local laws. The Neighborhood Electric Vehicle has a 12 mile range, which gives you a six-mile radius for a round-trip.
For most of us, that’s more than enough to get to the grocery store or a local appointment in town.
People living in gated communities and all-inclusive complexes would also find them perfect for their needs.
You recharge the car either through the solar panels or by plugging it in.
This provides the reassurance of a backup plan for those cloudy days.
Haines touts the SUNN, as he has dubbed it, as better than any other solar kit vehicle for several reasons: its large diameter wheels reduce resistance, conserving energy; it has the highest efficiency use of solar energy; light weight and a highly efficient transmission assist in the conservation; and-you have your choice of color and configuration!
You can build your own solar powered car from the kit without having to invest in any special tools.
Only hand tools needed, as the welds are all done before the kit is packaged.
A step-by-step manual with drawings and instructions guide you through the process.
And if you get stuck, there’s email and telephone support close at hand.
Manufacturers Certificates of Origin are supplied for all major items so that your car can be registered as a Specially Constructed Vehicle in your state once it is complete.
To reserve a kit, visit www.sunnev.com.
The cost is about $4,000, and does not include solar panels or batteries, which can be bought for your local climate.
Also, buying the batteries local saves a lot on shipping, as the batteries are the heaviest part of the car.
Check them out and drive green!
Advantages Of Solar Power
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