• @grue
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    1 year ago

    Not a solar one like the thing pictured, LOL. There simply isn’t enough W/m2 for solar panels to power anything less light and spartan than a World Solar Challenge car.

    typical example of a World Solar Challenge race car


    Aside from that, the cheapest way to build a custom [battery, not solar] electric car is probably to salvage parts off a wrecked commercially-built electric car.

    I’m a fan of Aging Wheels and SuperfastMatt on Youtube, both of whom are building custom EVs from used Tesla parts.

      • @grue
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        1 year ago

        If it were worth it, commercial electric cars would be festooned with solar panels. They aren’t. (I think there might be one EV that has a solar panel embedded in its roof, but it’s just a gimmick.)

        In other words, no: the amount of range solar panels could add to a two-ton electric car with performance and comfort up to the standard expected of a modern car is basically negligible.

        Frankly, if you really want solar, you should be thinking more in terms of an electric bicycle towing a trailer with a solar panel on it. And even then you’re still probably talking about merely extending range, not being able to travel all day without having to pedal.