A Solar Car that can run FOREVER

Solar cars are usually funny-looking inventions that either look like they were thrown together by a mad scientist or they had popped out of a Jetsons cartoon, but EVX Ventures’ solar-powered car looks almost...cool. The technology startup from Melbourne claims that the car can run on Sun power and store energy for periods when the Sun don’t shine, which means that it can run in perpetuity on renewable energy…hence the name, The Immortus.

Solar panels cover about 86 sq. ft of the exterior and a lithium battery stores between 5-10 kWh. Surprisingly, the two-person vehicle is light despite the added weight of the battery, tipping the scale at only 500kgs. With the combined power harnessed from the Sun and the battery, the car can reach a top speed of 100 mph, and when solely on solar power, a leisurely 50 mph. Otherwise, you can still plug the Immortus into conventional power outlets.

The idea of a solar car that has infinite range is very enticing, especially for us in this neck of the woods where the Sun shines for long hours, all year long. According to an EVX spokesperson, the “range is infinite when there is consistent sunshine cruising at 60km/h (37mph)”. Not very fast, but considering that it uses what even the harshest critics of electric cars would concede as truly “green” energy and the technology can only get better, it gives us hope that there could be a future in which all vehicles and transportation systems run on Sun power.

The Immortus project was founded by the Aurora Solar Car Team, which has participated in solar race events (yes, there is such a thing) all over the world. Hence the lightness, sleek lines and covered wheels of the Immortus. But the car is also designed to be road-capable, suitable for daily driving, and even has luggage space. As we’ve said, it doesn’t look bad at all. It has the aerodynamic styling of a sports car and its has specially designed solar racer tyres, which are thin and low-friction for low rolling resistance.

The team is planning a test for a full-scale prototype by the end of 2016, if they can raise enough funds. If it ever makes it to production, the makers only expect a limited sales of no more than a 100 solar cars, for a retail price of about USD370,000 each. Still a tad too steep for the regular hemp-trousers wearer, so we’re sure most of them will still stick to the Prius for now.