From the Spanish Energy Supplier REPSOL, here’s a history
Electric vehicles need to obtain their power from an external source, while cars with solar panels are capable of generating that power using solar radiation. Cars with solar panels should not be confused with solar electric cars, which are charged with electricity generated using this renewable source of power.
Here’s a visual representation on the history and development of Solar Powered Vehicles, from the Solar Power Guide
Image Source: Solar Power.Guide
Image Source: Solar Power.Guide
What Was the First Solar-Powered Car?
When was the solar-powered car invented? In 1955, General Motors employee William G. Cobb constructed a solar car prototype called the Sunmobile. It was a 15-inch solar-powered automobile model that was comprised of 12 selenium photovoltaic cells, a balsa wood body, and a tiny electric motor. These solar cells converted sunlight directly into electricity, which in turn powered a small low-inertia motor. This motor rotated at 2,000 rpm and operated on 1.5 volts. The motor’s energy was transferred to the Sunmobile’s drive shaft, which then traveled through its rear axle by a pulley to the wheels, which propelled the car forward. He showcased this model solar panel car at the 1955 General Motors Powerama to more than 2,000,000 visitors. This was the first ever demonstration of a vehicle being powered by solar energy.
What Was the First Solar-Powered Car That Could Be Driven by a Person?
In 1976, Alan Freeman developed the first solar car that could be legally driven. This three-wheeled vehicle, crafted with fiberglass into an aerodynamic shape, was powered by both sunlight and pedals. By 1981, road tax for electric vehicles in the U.K. was reduced to zero, so Freeman insured and registered his invention. Unfortunately, the unreliable sunlight in Britain made the vehicle inefficient overall, but it paved the way for future solar car innovations.
