I don't know if you could drive down the highway with this thing open,
but if you could, you'd have limitless power...
Tesla unveils a trailer with pop-out solar panels that could charge your electric car on the go – as well as a built-in SpaceX Starlink satellite dish to deliver internet to the moving vehicle.
Elon Musk's company revealed the concept at the IdeenExpo in Hannover, Germany, earlier this week, surprising attendees with the unplanned announcement.
But there have been no further details from Tesla, suggesting the car maker will not make the equipment available to the public any time soon.
The problem has always been that solar power doesn't add much to the range of the car, because it is not as efficient as electrical energy.
It has led many electric vehicle owners to seek alternative solutions, with several companies revealing ideas for deployable solar panels as portable independent charging solutions.
The PolarGreen Tow trailer, for example, has a capacity of up to 6.5 kW and can be used to supply power for electric cars, but has to be stationery to work.
Startup Sono Motors has also announced a partnership with European refrigerated trailer expert CHEREAU to develop a solar-powered option for fleet trucks and trailers.
Meanwhile, I guess we'll stick with what we know works...
It can charge your car if you are parked for days but not at all while moving, so no 'infinite range' I have an 8 panel 2.6Kw array on my roof here in SoCal and I get about 15KW-hr per day of energy each full day if there are no clouds, so that might add 50 miles of range but you have to be at home, not at work.
ReplyDeleteLook at the solar challenge racers to see what an all-solar car looks like: utterly impractical as transportation.
"The problem has always been that solar power doesn't add much to the range of the car, because it is not as efficient as electrical energy."
ReplyDeleteWTF? solar power IS electrical energy. Most journalists should just stay the fuck away from technology stories if they don't want to sound dumber than FJB.
I doubt any system can recharge a normal EV car on the fly. At best, it can trickle charge while it is moving and let it discharge a bit slower.