Automobiles caused the 1970's stock market boom and since then it has been one of the most promising and evergreen technological fields. Though cars have made our life effortless, they are having numerous disadvantages. It has caused air, water, soil and noise pollution. Global warming has been continuously warning of a rise in temperature. This is one of the reasons behind lessening the species on earth. This planet is for every living organism and humans have no right to kill other species only for their benefit, right? Does it mean we should not use cars? No, definitely not, engineers have already started working on environmental friendly cars, like electric vehicles as well as solar automobiles. A perfect choice for them who love driving and wish to make earth pollution free. Let's take a quick ride of “What a solar car is”!
- The first solar car: If you think this is a recent idea or was invented to prevent the rising environmental issues, then you are wrong. The very first solar car was invented way back in 1955, by William G. Cobb of General Motors Corp. This wasn’t a boom in the world, because it was just a 15-inch model. The first solar powered car which could be driven was revealed in 1962 named as: Baker Electric car. This car had about 11,000 individual solar cells attached on its roof.
- Why to prefer solar cars over electric: Well, that’s a very basic yet important question. Yes, when we have electric cars why are we falling in need of solar ones. It’s because, for an electric car one needs a charging station at home, if not home at least there should be public charging stations, just like the rickshaw stand or bus stand. Now this leads to an interesting question, will the government provide charging stations for all the available electric cars? After investing a huge amount in electric vehicles, will the owners spend an additional amount on arranging a charging station at home? This steer’s to put up more effort and make an environment friendly car i.e. solar vehicle.
- What is a Solar car: The name conveys the meaning: ‘a car which runs on solar energy’. Though it usually runs on solar energy, an additional battery is also present to improve its power. These cars have solar panels attached to them, which contain photovoltaic cells. Here, these photovoltaic cells convert the sunlight into electric energy and charge the battery. To add up more technical knowledge, photons present in the sunlight strike the solar panels present on the car, which excite the electrons. This allows an electric flow, which creates electric current, that acts as fuel to run the car.
Advantages of solar automobiles:
- No pollution: Vehicles and trucks are the chief reasons for causing air pollution. But these solar cars run on sunlight which is converted to electricity and hence won’t produce any emission. This environment friendly transport is the best option for an environmentalist.
- No fuel costs: Sunlight is free and so is this car: fuel free. These panels have a long life of about 35 years. Though solar panels cost a bit high, but with technology getting better day by day, time will come, when even these panels will be affordable.
- Comfortable for Driving: These cars are lightweight and also have good speed, which is why they are mainly used for racing purposes. Being powered by electric motors which are a bit smaller than gas engines, these cars will operate without causing any noise or vibration.
Why is it boon for the environment: The reason for global warming is thermal pollution and solar cars reduce thermal pollution, which indirectly leads to reduction in global warming. These cars don't produce carbon-dioxide, nitrous oxide or methane making the atmosphere more healthy. On other hand, when fossil fuel is burnt, a number of harmful emissions are produced, turning the environment unhealthy for living beings. Global warming is not only harming the environment, but with the rising temperature we are losing a number of species. When time comes, solar vehicles should be the first choice for public transport as well as for personal vehicles.
Upcoming solar car: Wait may not be long, when we will travel long distances on solar powered cars without re-fuel breaks! Below are names of upcoming solar cars-
1. Lightyear one
2. Sion
3. Hyundai Solar car
4. Stella Era
5. Cybertruck, Tesla
So, let’s plan to adopt solar vehicles as soon as they are made available. And contribute from our end in the ‘Go Green’ movement. A healthy earth is ultimately our responsibility.