Solar-powered family car being tested

Described as “the world’s first solar-powered family car”, the Stella Vie is undergoing road testing in the Netherlands.

Vie stands for “life” and for the Roman number for five as it can carry five people, says Solar Team Eindhoven from the Eindhoven University of Technology. The car is produced by Lightyear, a start-up founded by former Solar Team Eindhoven members.

The aerodynamically designed car has a range of about 1000km on a sunny Netherlands summer day, the team says.

It can run in any city with an electric grid so doesn’t need special infrastructure.

The Stella Vie is roomy for both occupants and storage with each wheel having an independent motor. It’s also lower than conventional cars, with big doors and handles making access easy.

Surplus energy generated by the Vie can be supplied back to the house or electric grid. The smart charging and discharging system keeps track of energy prices and the user’s agenda to find the optimal time to charge or discharge.

Stella Vie’s charging status can also easily be checked through its connection with a smart thermostat.

A solar navigator, which now takes height profile maps into account, allows the car to find the most efficient route and shows how much energy is saved compared to a standard, fossil fuel powered car.

It will offer parking assistance too. V2X technology warns the driver to anticipate any traffic events for safer and better driving. Efficient driving is encouraged through a system that warns the driver by turning red when braking or accelerating too fiercely.

Meanwhile, Solar Team Eindhoven is preparing to defend its title at the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge

2017 across Australia in October.

About 50 teams have entered the 3000km event from Darwin to Adelaide from October 8-12.