E2Sys has a solar powered electric car. We don't have solar panels on the roof (yet) but we do charge it from our solar and wind array.This thing is excellent for getting around town. It cruises at 30-35 mph, and I can drive about 20 miles on a charge. More if I drive really slowly (20mph) and less if I really step on the accelerator. It takes around an hour to get a decent charge, but a full charge takes in the range of 6-8 hours.
The model is the E4, by Gem car. It was made in 2005 and has been modified to have larger wheels and a larger motor. (All the way up to 7.5 hp!)
Legally, these cars, known as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) aren't allowed on roads with a speed limit of more than 35mph. That means I have to plan my route carefully to make sure I don't run out of battery or get pulled over somewhere I should be. Luckily, the north fork is ideal for getting around on the backroads and ducking in and out of town.
This will be the perfect addition to Team E2Sys for the summer. Hope to see you driving around town.
