Solar-powered off-road vehicle completes 620-mile test drive across North Africa

October 16, 2023

The world's first solar car, which is said to be capable of long-distance off-road driving without recharging, has completed a 1,000km test drive through Morocco and the Sahara Desert.

His two-seater Stella Terra, designed by a student at Eindhoven University of Technology, completed a journey through a variety of difficult landscapes as part of the final test of its lightweight frame and aerodynamic profile.

The car runs on energy from multiple solar panels on its roof, reaches a top speed of 145 km/h, weighs just 1,200 kg (1.2 tonnes) and has a range of at least 710 km. On a sunny day.

Wisse Bos, team manager of Solar Team Eindhoven, says the technology used complements the lightweight frame and high-efficiency solar panels, which he says is 10 years ahead of what's on the market. he said.

He said: “Stella Terra needs to withstand harsh off-road conditions while remaining efficient and light enough to be solar-powered.” So Stella Terra had to design almost everything themselves, from the suspension to the solar module inverters.

This vehicle is equipped with a rechargeable lithium-ion (Li) battery, which allows it to travel short distances in less than sunny weather. The amount of energy provided by a car's solar panels is enough to power cooking and charging devices such as phones and cameras.

His 22 students, ranging in age from 21 to 25, in the

car brought this project to life after taking a year off from their studies.