Electric cars.

Fred flintstone had the ultimate environmentally friendly vehicle.
I'm sure there are some that want us back to the stone age.

 

Solar power might work for about 10 days up here in NE Scotland, there will be a lot of holiday makers coming up here doing a lot of pushing me thinks. These half baked knee jerk ideas might work in central London, we have more Pictish Stones than electric chargers in Angus.

 

Aptera Motors

 

Doesn't look very practical.

 

The Lightyear 2 is a real car with a target starting price of £40,000.
Lightyear 2 waitlist

A bit cheaper than the Lightyear 0
Long Range Solar Electric Vehicle — Lightyear 0
Which retails at £265.000

 

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 can be equipped with a solar roof. Depending on the local sun exposure of where the customer lives, it's possible to extend the range by 1500km or more annually. How much extra this adds to the purchase of the car I don't know, but if your paying to use charge points regularly then it might be worth while.

Hyundai's new electric car has a solar panel roof and can charge other EVs | TechRadar

Solar Powered Bodywork is a big hit with DHL | Trailers UK Haulier

 

I think Hyundai are basing these figures can be achieved in countries like Spain etc etc, maybe. I doubt you would come close to those figures in many parts of the UK. I can't see this taking off in a big way, if at all. If more manufacturers do go down the route of building EV's with a solar roof, it tells me that the grid is and never will be capable of meeting the demand for us to go all electric.

 

It doesn't indicate the state of the grid. Why would you not want free electricity? If you have solar panels on your house roof why not your car?

 

I never said it did. Free electric, well that depends. Just like a solar panel roof, until you have paid off the initial outlay, only then is the electric free. Like you said, most people change their cars every few years nowadays. If your only talking a couple of hundred quid to have one equipped to a car, then I understand, but if you talking a grand or so then the payback time will be longer depending on the individual's circumstance's. Hyundai state it is can be capable of adding 1300 km annually and adds an extra 24 kilo.

Hyundai launches first car with solar roof charging system

It is alright boasting about these figures, but what I would want to know, how much extra does it cost to have one equipped, when or would I see a return financially when doing up to 24000 miles in 3 years before changing the car. Those are the questions I would be asking if I was to replace one of my curtain side trucks with a new truck fitted with a solar roof.