by Simon Telfar
(New York)
2007 Winner – Dutch Solar Car
It is a long time since (1983) Hans Tholstrup and Larry Perkins completed the Solar Trek from Perth to Sydney, in Australia. This year the Dutch team won the World Solar Challenge from Darwin to Adelaide, in a very spacey looking vehicle.
I know of the “Solar Bug” electric car that has solar panels on top with a top speed of 35 mph, and a range of 60 miles. But after all this time where are the solar cars? I guess they are still way too expensive and perhaps inefficient for mass production.
But wouldn’t it be great to be able to buy a solar car. In some countries the sun mightn’t shine enough, but in lots of other places it would be just fine. No noise or pollution while driving around, and a move away from fossil fuels. Let’s hope something comes of all these expensive solar races!