Rating: NNNNN
No oil dictators or stinking petroleum refining required. This sleek, sexy vehicle designed by a local has already travelled thousands of miles and runs on the bounty of the fireball in the sky.
What Power of One solar car project
Claim to fame Fastest solar-energy car in Canada
Former holder of world record for longest distance travelled by solar car — more than 7,000 kilometres
Performance Top speed: 120 km/h with the help of battery 70 km/h under direct sunlight alone
Specifications Height: 1 metre Weight: 200 kilograms
Length: 5 metres
Body materials: Fiberglass, carbon fibre and kevlar
Component parts: Solar cells, electric motor, batteries, specially designed solar tires, disc braking system
Cost: From $20,000
Design features Electric braking system designed to assist in slowing vehicle and recovering energy at the same time
Specially designed tires whose rolling resistance is five times less than gas-powered vehicles
Needs only 18 per cent sunlight to run
Specially tinted bubble to keep driver cool — also allows quick entry and exit for driver on the go
Options Rear-mounted cameras instead of rear-view mirrors, to minimize drag
How it works Solar cells convert light into electricity, which is then stored in batteries that power the electric motor.
Ride Quiet and smooth
Target group Vespa aficionados looking for a more eco-friendly ride without the need to wear goofy-looking helmets
Chick/stud-magnet factor 9 out of 10 (we’ll ignore the fact that it’s a one-passenger vehicle)
Selling points
Sleek, egg-shaped design
Won’t overheat in rush-hour traffic
Eco-friendly
Screams cool, conscientious
Great in the wind
Fuel not required
How it compares to gas-powered vehicles
Lighter, cleaner, cheaper, more efficient
Not as good in snow, rain or on cloudy days (which means you’ll have to take public transit — not a bad idea)
Environmental benefits Zero pollution
Downside Stereo not included
Working marketing pitch The future is now
Dream pitchman Canuck basketball star Steve Nash, who wore a T-shirt opposing war in Iraq at this year’s all-star game
Upcoming Cross-Canada tour
Half-size model on display at Ontario Science Centre April 18-21
