Despite the fact the World Solar Challenge, an event that brings together vehicles based on natural energy, has suffered several obstacles to be held over the last year due to COVID-19, this type of technology continues progressing.
The Solar Team of the Technical University of Eindhoven, Netherlands, has designed a number of innovative vehicles, and this year will surprise everyone with a motor home made of solar panels, called Stella Vita.
The researchers in charge announced they will make a trip on board across Europe, covering some 3,000 kilometers. The tour will depart from Eindhoven, in the Netherlands, and will head south to Brussels, where the first stop is planned. During the tour, different stops are planned: Paris, Le Mans, Île de Ré, Bordeaux, Biarritz, Zaragoza, Madrid, Toledo and Córdoba. The final destination will be Cadiz on October 15.
Prototype Details
The motor home features a deck that slides up when stationary. This makes it easy to park for cooking, sleeping or working inside. Moreover, a set of additional solar panels unfolds when the roof is raised, doubling the solar collection area to 17.5 square meters.
For everyday use, a comfortable interior was designed to be as light as possible. By using energy efficiently, Stella Vita can travel up to 730 km on a sunny day.
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Besides the two doors giving access to driver and passenger seats, two large, opposing opening doors on one side provide access, natural lighting and ventilation of the entire cabin. Inside, driver and passengers can comfortably enjoy a kitchen, a L-shaped seating bench that doubles as storage trunks, a small dining table, shelves, a bed and a bathroom with shower, as well as a Bluetooth sound system located in the cabin, a TV and a coffee maker.
Latest Model into the Future
The Stella Vita arrives as the successor to a technological line of solar-powered vehicles created by this group of students from the Netherlands. The original Stella was introduced back in 2013, the Stella Lux in 2015, and the Stella Vie in 2017. The latter was an electric and solar car evolved from the previous two capable of carrying five passengers inside.
The team unveiled the car to a room full of young students. “They are the future, the next generation and can encourage and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future,” said Kjell Revenberg, manager of Solar Team Eindhoven. “To accelerate this transition, we will inspire sustainability to as many people in Europe as possible during our journey,” he said.
Written by I Jhonattan González
