Does anyone know the history of the solar powered cars that popped up on TV programs in the early 1980's? These cars had solar panels and looked almost like rocket shaped race cars. Unfortunately, they never went into mass production

I remember seeing those, but unfortunately don't know anything about them

Well, if you want to see a solar car these days, you need to stop checking your local freeways and instead head to a "Rayce." Check out the World Solar Challenge and the American Solar Challenge.

Participants in these races range from college engineer students (challenged by their professors) to professionals from GM.

Of course, don't expect to see any of these vehicles parked downtown any time soon. Solar powered cars are still not practical (even though you can argue that each "rayce" advances the solar car a little bit).

They still are not reliably fast (relatively slow, actually). They can not comfortably seat more than a few passengers (the focus has been more on the engineering and power, not comfort).

the sun is not always out... we need more advanced storage

There are simply other alternative forms of energy for cars that are looking more promising right now. Solar energy is not the top one (but consider how great it would be to have a solar/gas-powered hybrid!)

This is the biggest drawback to Solar Powered Cars, from what I see. Once they work out this little detail, it will be a large step towards seeing one in every driveway... :wink:

Did anybody see this month's edition of Popular Science? They had an article on more fuel efficient cars. They were not solar powered, but it was still interesting to see what sort of things they are comping up with these days. -- "The Race to 100 mpg."

Then what type of engines they have?
I think may be small cars with low capacity and Low power are of that type?

I remember seeing those cars. They just went away but please believe that they are coming back. And when they do it's over for gas cars. They are going to be very expensive though.

Yes, same goes to my country. We produced several prototype solar powered car, but on battery as well. Never goes into mass production because of low public acceptance and very expensive too.

Well eventually we are going to have no other choice but to except those cars because they are going to push gas cars out of market.

Let's hope so Parise. But I wonder how easily the oil barons will give up their billion dollar profits?