World Solar Car challenge

Post by **jonescg** » Sat, 05 Oct 2013, 17:56

World Solar Car Challenge had a nice feature on the ABC.

Good luck guys!

Post by **coulomb** » Sun, 06 Oct 2013, 15:05

Brilliant!

I note that some of the cruiser class vehicles have a range of 700-1000 km, with enough sun, presumably. So they could make it from Brisbane to Canberra in two days, like our group of 3 EVs will be doing this Thursday. The big difference is that they can do it under their own steam, so to speak! No need for a heavy tow vehicle, trailer, and all that fossil fuel.

It's good to see the cruiser class expand the solar challenge from merely a race to the finish, to getting there with some comfort and practicability.

Post by **g4qber** » Sun, 06 Oct 2013, 16:05

mmmm
put me down for the 1/2 mil euro car pls.
1000km @ 50 deg C

powercore suncruiser - german
1000km
115kmh
3 seats

having seen the solar car wheels i don't mind, as much, the imiev's narrow front wheels.

eVe - australian
700 km
140kmh top
2 seats

stella - dutch
800km
120kmh top
4 seats
ipod input

Post by **coulomb** » Sun, 06 Oct 2013, 16:08

g4qber wrote: 1000km @ 50 deg C

Heh. The Europeans possibly think that 50 deg C is wonderful, compared to their freezing climates.

But after the first 5 minutes, I think they'd change their minds. Talk about culture shock...

Post by **Adverse Effects** » Sun, 06 Oct 2013, 16:13

the thing that gets me is the new class (normal practical cars) they say have to be built to the "legal road standeds of the country they come from" but none of them would ever match the rules we have here and could not be registered here

so if you ask me AU is a hypocrite in the sustainable race the powers that be all say yes this is good but its not to the rules so no you carnt do it here

dont get me wrong i think this is fantastic

but show me just 1 of thos cars that AU road regs would allow (with out special exception)to drive registered on the roads here

my mate last week was arrested for riding his push bike 800W pedal assist

dangerous driving (was on the footpath not the road)
driving an unregistered vehicle
driving an roadworthy vehicle
driving an illegally modified vehicle (bike wasnt fitted with it from the factory)
unlicensed driving (last year they took his license off him after he had a hart attack)

he now has over $1500 in fines his bike has been impounded and he dont know if he is getting it back yet

yep AU is well on the way to sustainable power and vehicle

i can not see in the near future any light wight electric cars on the roads here simply because the rules here just dont let it

i have built a Locost frame for a mate and the rules on strength where nuts not to mention all the extra panels i had to put in to count as "side intrusion" geezzzz

Post by **jonescg** » Sun, 06 Oct 2013, 17:10

Adverse - that's terrible! Please send my condolences to your mate. Why does Australia feel the need to crack down on these things? What has the punishment taught your buddy other than the law being retarded? Makes me angry to read this sort of thing.

These are the kinds of issues we need to raise with our new look senate. Making it easier to pass design requirements for locally made EVs and solar cars would surely be a benefit to the industry...

Post by **PlanB** » Mon, 07 Oct 2013, 04:00

The new road registerable class is a great idea. Not much technical detail on the eVe website though, would be great to get some more technical specs.

Post by **Richo** » Mon, 07 Oct 2013, 21:31

Adverse Effects wrote:my mate last week was arrested for riding his push bike 800W pedal assist

Bet he's wishing he got a 2kW one.
Ah better not they'd put him down as trying to evade police too

That's 6months jail around here.

Post by **Richo** » Fri, 08 Nov 2013, 20:30

I'm assuming you are referring to the solar race and not the evade police laws

WORLD SOLAR CHALLENGE

EDIT:

and here are the regulations (technical info)

world solar challenge regulations