12 Awesome Solar-Powered Concept Cars

The Koenigsegg Quant

If you haven’t already heard of Koenigsegg, expect to soon. The Swedish supercar firm has developed a concept car called the Quant utilizing a most unlikely combination of power sources: solar energy and pyrite, otherwise known as fool’s gold. A company spokesperson at the Geneva Motor Show was quoted as saying the Quant will have a 300 mile range and take just 20 minutes to fully recharge.

The Peugeot Shoo

One of the more futuristic-looking solar concept cars, the Peugeot Shoo utilizes a triangular design and a solar paneled roof to power the engine. According to DeviceDaily, the design was inspired by a boat and much of the car’s aerodynamism is due to that.

The Italdesign Giugiaro Quaranta

The Quaranta is one of the most sleek and dynamic solar concept cars currently in existence. Its batteries are powered completely by solar energy, which is collected via panels positioned on the roof and front end of the vehicle. While the bulk of the Quaranta was designed by Italdesign Giugiaro, Toyota contributed its expertise to the sophisticated electronics.

The Mercedes-Benz Formula Zero

Mercedez-Benz made its name in luxury, not eco-friendliness, so it might come as a surprise that the company is now placing its hat in the solar-powered car ring. Pictured above is the Formula Zero, a concept car that was entered into 2008′s Design Los Angeles Challenge. It is propelled by electric motors on each of its 4 wheels and batteries that draw their power from an aero-efficient solar layer.

The Antro Solo

The Hungarian-built Astro Solo and its one-of-a-kind design get an astounding 150MPG, using a combination of solar and gas-electric power. During good weather, the solar panels on the roof are sufficient to power the car on brief 15-25 kilometer trips. When the skies are overcast, the Astro Solo defaults to a small electric engine or – get this – the foot pedaling of the three passengers!

The 1987 GM Sunraycer

Solar concept cars are not an entirely new development. One of the more eye-catching and intriguing throwbacks is the 1987 GM Sunraycer, a concept car built for Australia’s World Solar Competition and never put into mass production. The Sunraycer’s 8,800 on-board solar cells generated about 1,500 watts of power, propelling this bad boy to top speeds of 68MPH and easily winning the competition.

The SEAT Brisa

If it looks more like a leisurely bicycle for two than an automobile, this was precisely the creator’s intention. As CarDailyNews says, the SEAT Brisa “was not designed for a non-stop trip from Madrid to Barcelona, but as a recreational, fun vehicle.” Unlike many solar powered cars that have the panels plainly visible on the roof, the solar apperatus of the Brisa is hidden beneath the translucent body.

The Mindset Six50

The Six50 (on pace for a scheduled 2009 unveiling) can go 100KM on a single battery charge, drawing its power from roof-mounted solar panels. One major advantage of the Six50 is its price: although not currently in production, it has been estimated that Mindset will offer the Six50 for as little as 31,000 Euros, a pittance compared to many newer hybrids.

The Lotus Eco Elise

Unveiled at the 2008 British Motor Show, the Lotus Eco Elise has marched boldly into new territory – eco-friendly sports cars. And while the Eco Elise is still somewhat of a gas guzzler, one appreciates the embrace of energy saving technology like the solar panels that power the car’s electrical system (including its iPod/MP3 compatible stereo!)

The Enigma

This slick solar-powered vehicle was one of the winners at the Royal College of Art’s Green Concept Car competition. It was designed by Paul Howse and relies upon electric, solar-powered motors for propulsion. Unfortunately, seeing as this was only designed for a competition, it’s unclear whether this car will ever actually go into production.

The Solar-Powered Volvo

Volvo made its name in safety, not solar, but that hasn’t stopped them from developing this eco-friendly monster! Created in anticipation of the 2015 Dakar Rally, the vehicle combines solar energy and fuel cells to support its diesel engine. Thus far, it might qualify as the biggest and baddest solar concept car around!

The Eve

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Top 15 Most Eccentric & Innovative Electric Vehicles

Tang Hua Chinese Electric Vehicles

Chinese company Tang Hua debuted a trio of electric vehicles that look like Dr. Suess illustrations come to life, or a new spin on the Oscar Meyer Weiner-mobile. Humorously, a label on one of the cars suggests that perhaps in the yellow submarine-like vehicle’s future is “renowned environmentalists – President Bush, ordering this car for his Texas ranch.”

Suzuki PIXY + SCC

Ever wonder how you’ll get around in a post-apocalyptic wasteland? Never fear – Suzuki has created a vehicle system that allows you to get around without ever coming into contact with toxic, heavily polluted air. It’s a sort of worst-case-scenario insurance plan, assuming that serious environmental damage will require us all to get around in single-passenger vehicles. A rolling transporter – the ‘Suzuki Shared Coach’, or SSC – can carry up to two ‘PIXY’ 3-wheeled pods which are fully enclosed.

Zoop Car

2006 saw the debut of the Zoop Car, an electric vehicle designed by – strangely enough – a fashion house. Paris-based Maison de Courrèges, who got their start in the fashion world working for legendary design house Balenciaga, gave the rather unusual Zoop a bubble-like orange dome and a low profile. Three people can fit inside, and it’ll go up to 120 mph.

Hyperion Concept Car

The Hyperion Concept Car, designed by Marco Aurelio Galán Henríquez, is powered by lithium ion batteries and will be made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, for safety without the weight. Exceedingly futuristic-looking, the lightweight body of the Hyperion allows the electric engines to propel the vehicle up to 200 km/hour.

Tesla’s Electric Pink Bunny Slippers

They hardly resemble the Tesla Roadster, but believe it or not, that iconic electric car has something in common with these pink bunny slipper vehicles: they’re all designed by Tesla engineers. Greg Solberg made them for use at the Burning Man festival. The 7.5 feet slippers can go about 15mph with a frame made of welded steel and plywood. And he didn’t stop at slippers – he made electric cupcakes, too.

KAZ Eliica 8-Wheel Electric Car

The design of the Keio Advanced Zero-Emmision Vehicle (KAZ) Eliica is pretty polarizing, with as many people holding their noses as praising its familiar-yet-strange looks. The Eliica has four axles with eight wheels and reaches up to 230 mph. It takes 10 hours to charge, travels 125 miles on a single charge and can accelerate to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds. The wheels house motors, so the four extras help it reach those extreme speeds, and the car’s seemingly excessive length is necessary to host the batteries, which cover almost the entire floor area.

Bamgoo, Electric Car Made of Bamboo

Leave it to Japan to come up with one of the wackiest, most eco-centric electric vehicles ever imagined. Not only does it run on electricity, it’s made of bamboo, a renewable resource. Developed by Kyoto City and Kyoto University, this wicker basket-looking vehicle (which weighs just 130 pounds!) runs about 30 miles per charge.

Ecooter Electric Car/Scooter

Nissan Pivo 2

The ridiculously cute Nissan Pivo 2 eliminates the need for reverse entirely, with a rotating cabin that swivels 360 degrees. In-wheel motors can propel it in any direction, including sideways. Unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2007, the Pivo 2 even has a ‘Robotic Agent’, allowing the driver to communicate with the car about everything from basic vehicle functions to the nearest available parking spaces.

Airflow by Pierre Sabas

When the Royal College of Art held its annual Vehicle Design Masters program show in 2008, there were a lot of incredible designs to be seen, but none shone quite so much as the Airflow by Pierre Sabas. This electric concept car will feature an exterior made of glass and ultra-lightweight materials. Sabas said he wanted the glass to wrap around the car “like fabric”, to allow occupants a 360-degree view of the outside world.

Aptera Typ-1 Electric Three-Wheeler

Lumeneo Smera Super-Narrow Electric Car

Tucked into a lightly-trafficked corner of the 2008 Geneva Auto Show was the Lumeneo Smera, an extremely narrow electric vehicle that, amazingly enough, manages to fit two people inside. It’s so small, it fits into the same footprint as many of the scooters used throughout Europe. It’s capable of 80 mph and has a range of 93 miles, and leans into turns like a motorcycle. Planned production for 2009 is 250 units.

‘Dream Car 123’ Prototype Solar Electric Car

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVGw1_g3mCs">Watch on YouTube.</a>
No, this vehicle is not a prop from a 1930’s futuristic film set. As strange as it looks, the pyramid-shaped ‘Dream Car 123’ does actually work and gets a 240-mile range on a single 3.5 hour charge for about $5 worth of electricity. The pet project of inventor Greg Zanis, who calls it a ‘one-person safety vehicle’, the ironically named ‘Dream Car’ has bulletproof glass and cost about $8,000 in materials – a big improvement from an older prototype’s staggering $60,000.

UnoCycle Electric Gyroscopic Bike

Popular Science magazine named the UnoCycle the Invention of the Year, and it has also received several ‘best engineering’ and ‘best in category’ awards at motorcycle shows. Created by 18-year-old Ben Gulak, who was inspired to build it after visiting smog-plagued China, this gyroscopic two-wheeled motor bike is light enough to be taken indoors to charge and runs for 2.5 hours. The rider leans forward to accelerate to speeds up to 25mph, and leans backward to slow down.

Peugeot Moovie

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