Eco Factor: Hybrid car powered by pedals and solar energy.
While solar-powered cars are nothing new when it comes to designing them on paper, an engineering professor, Dr. Tai-Ran Hsu, and his team of some students have developed an electric vehicle that can be powered by both pedals and solar energy. What is being touted as the first project that involves solar energy in a mobile system by Dr. Hsu, the car carries four solar panels on the roof and the hood that power the four silicone batteries of the car.
Apart from solar energy, the car’s batteries can also be recharged by a traditional 110V AC outlet at the shift of a switch, and if the sun has set and you still haven’t reached your home then you can also pedal the car back home. Fully charged batteries can last up to 60 miles while propelling the car at a top speed of 35 mph. The $4000 car is ready for mass production and is targeted toward the markets of China, India and Mexico.
The Dark Side:
The car cannot be termed as one of the most beautiful cars to be made and the performance too needs to be improved before the car hits mass production.
Via: ABCLocal
