The first commercial solar-electric hybrid car
For only 92,000 euros ($115,811), you’ll be able to pick up Venturi’s new AstroLab, the world’s first commercial electro-solar hybrid car, when it is available in January 2008. Described by its designer, Sacha Lakic as “a flying wing set on four wheels,” the Astrolab used no gas, emits zero emissions, recharges while in motion and does not need permanent exposure to the sun to run. It has a top speed of 120 kilometers per hour (74.5 mph), a range of 110 km (68 miles) and will seat two passengers. AstroLab has a single-shell, ultra-light carbon monocoque chassis, nearly 39 square feet of photovoltaic cells on its surface and liquid-cooled NiMH Venturi NIV-7 batteries that can be plugged into a electricity grid. Sounds like a dream come true. It’s a shame it looks like a Pinewood derby car.
Site [Venturi]
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on April 20, 2007 at 06:04 PM - LINK“only $100k+“?? Well i’ll be rich someday…For that much money they could afford to put some kind of visual appeal to it. We should all just give up on cars and travel via tubes!
on April 22, 2007 at 10:12 PM - LINKIt looks awful… it doesn’t have a windshield its way too expensive. Why would they even bother?!
on April 23, 2007 at 04:19 AM - LINKwow!!!.. it’s amazing. i’ll buy it. someday when I’ve enough money. I’m love it. thank’s venturi.
on September 6, 2007 at 03:04 AM - LINKlets save our world. its the truth green car. inilah mobil yang saya tunggu-tunggu. mobil yang sangat spektakuler. masyarakat dunia harus memakai mobil ini sesegera mungkin. karena dunia sudah sangat sesak dengan polutan. mobil impian. semoga harganya bisa murah. lets save our world.
on September 6, 2007 at 03:10 AM - LINKcongratulation to venturi.
on September 6, 2007 at 03:12 AM - LINKThis is awesome! If anyone would like explore making this alvailable for the everday person ASAP email and subject it Solar Power NOW!
on September 13, 2007 at 12:21 PM - LINKThis is good. Now we need the French Government and Renault to start making them on mass for the world to drive at a price that can beat a Toyota Prius, otherwise it is a vain attempt at nothing.
I’m waiting.
on November 25, 2007 at 07:41 AM - LINKIt’s april 2008. Who sells this car?
on April 7, 2008 at 08:48 AM - LINKI’d like that with a price tag 90k less. A roof would also be nice.
on August 3, 2008 at 03:25 PM - LINKIt looks very nasty. Also, it is very bad that it doesn’t have a roof. How awful it would be to drive with no roof or A/C or heating in 38ºF (about 3ºC) weather with heavy rain and strong wind! That would be the world’s crappiest car!
on November 20, 2008 at 06:34 PM - LINKAlso, I love the idea of a solar car, but it needs to be like any ordinary car, minus the fossil fuels.
on November 20, 2008 at 06:35 PM - LINK