In the 1950s the three-wheeled Messerschmitt was tiny and light and thus the ultimate economy vehicle.

Now a company is planning a three wheeled car with zero fuel costs.

TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

It looks futuristic with an aerodynamic shape and is built out of strong, lightweight materials including carbon, Kevlar, and hemp.

But its biggest feature is the solar panels on the body that, they say, provides enough power to run it.

Aptera says their “Never Charge Vehicle” can gain 8 kms of travel for every hour in the bright sun or about 65 kms per day.

The limitations are obvious, such as the reduction on cloudy days, but Aptera believes an average commute is 25 kms, so it would be an ideal commuter car.

The “Never Charge Vehicle” will be priced in the US from $35,000 to $62,000 in equivalent Australia dollars.

Motoring Minutes are heard around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network. Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 150,000 listeners. That’s over 750,000 listeners a week. Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive Radio Program, which is broadcast through the Community Radio Network across Australia and has a weekly audience of over 430,000.

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Aptera – In the 1950s the three-wheeled Messerschmitt was tiny and light and thus the ultimate economy vehicle.

Now a company is planning a three wheeled car with zero fuel costs.

It looks futuristic with an aerodynamic shape and is built out of strong, lightweight materials including carbon, Kevlar, and hemp.

But its biggest feature is the solar panels on the body that, they say, provides enough power to run it.

Aptera says their “Never Charge Vehicle” can gain 8 kms of travel for every hour in the bright sun or about 65 kms per day.

The limitations are obvious, such as the reduction on cloudy days, but Aptera believes an average commute is 25 kms, so it would be an ideal commuter car.

The “Never Charge Vehicle” will be priced in the US from $35,000 to $62,000 in equivalent Australia dollars.

Im David Brown

Motoring Minutes are heard around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network. Motoring Minutes have an average daily audience of over 150,000 listeners. Motoring Minutes are also broadcast as part of Overdrive Radio Program, which is broadcast through the Community Radio Network across Australia and has a weekly audience of over 450,000.

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To listen to the SolarEdge EV Charger Radio Segment Click Below 

SolarEdge, a smart energy company says its EV charging solar inverter enables faster charging through its solar boost mode, which allows simultaneous charging from both grid and solar power.

Having the solar boost mode option effectively reduces the typical charging times by 4. Charging using the solar-only option also had the added benefit of giving users more energy independence, enabling them to reduce power bills.

The two-in-one charger and inverter is compatible with multiple EVs and integrates with the SolarEdge monitoring system, allowing users to control and track charging status and set charging schedules to take advantage of off-peak rates, all at the touch of their smart device.

Technology is advancing at a rapid pace.

Radio Segments Motoring Minute

Listeners can hear Motoring Minute segments around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network.

Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners.

You can also find Motoring Minute segments syndicated through other news sites around Australia.

Additionally Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive – Cars Transport Culture Radio Program. 

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SolarEdge – Motorists will soon be able to charge their electric vehicles up to four times faster with the Australian release of the world’s first two-in-one solar inverter and EV charger.

SolarEdge, a global leader in smart energy, showcased its integrated EV charging solar inverter at the All Energy Australia conference in Melbourne, October 23-24.

The innovative design of the EV charging solar inverter enables faster charging through its solar boost mode, which allows simultaneous charging from grid and solar power.

SolarEdge Australia general manager Gavin Merchant said the two-in-one EV charger and solar inverter had the potential to advance the growing EV market, offering superior convenience, grid independence and cost benefits. “Embedding an EV charger in our solar inverter gives owners flexibility in how they charge their EVs and how fast they do it. Having the solar boost mode option offers huge peace of mind and convenience because you can effectively quarter typical charging times,” Mr Merchant said.

Charging using the solar-only option also had the added benefit of giving users more energy independence, enabling them to reduce power bills and their carbon footprints, he said. The two-in-one charger and inverter is compatible with multiple EVs and integrates with the SolarEdge monitoring platform, allowing users to control and track charging status and set charging schedules to take advantage of off-peak rates, all at the touch of their smart device.

Mr Merchant said SolarEdge’s market-leading technology could help to accelerate EV ownership in Australia. “With industry analysts expecting more new EVs to be sold globally than petrol and diesel cars in the next five to 10 years, we are heading towards a tipping point. As a result, our largest energy use in the home is going to be for EV charging.

Being able to use our EV charging solar inverter to power your car from solar gives consumers a more economic and greener option,” he said. The EV charging solar inverter is expected to be available in Australia by the end of 2019. The solution is also available as an EV-ready option for future EV purchases for PV system owners.

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With more EVs on Australian roads, demand for infrastructure is growing and placing stress on grid-powered charging stations. New solar-powered EV charging stations will maximise use of renewable energy, with the potential to alleviate stress on the grid during peak periods.

The charging stations were developed with the Australian household in mind, overcoming challenges associated with EV charging, including managing temperatures on even the hottest days.

The technology also supports charging of multiple vehicles in areas with limited access to grid power – such as home garages and public carparks – where the charge rate would otherwise be limited.

Funded by the Victorian Government and in collaboration with Delta Electronics and Nissan Australia, CSIRO researchers developed and tested the system, incorporating a range of heat management strategies to ensure batteries are charged and discharged efficiently.

EV Charging at Home

Lead researcher from CSIRO’s Centre for Hybrid Energy Systems Dr Christopher Munnings said up to 90 per cent of EV charging was likely to take place in the home.

“A normal household battery system is typically not powerful enough to charge a car on a hot day as it can overheat and slow down,” Dr Munnings said.

“We’ve devised a way to manage the temperature of the battery, minimising the amount of power required from the grid.

“In a multi-EV home, this system will automatically monitor each car, spreading the load between the battery, solar PV and the rest of the home.

“This means the cars charge as quickly as possible, using as much sun as possible, without the need to upgrade grid connection. This technology could accelerate the widespread rollout of EVs across the country.”

Three solar charging modules have been installed at Nissan Headquarters in Dandenong, each capable of charging four vehicles.

They will be tested and evaluated over 200 days, including the peak summer period.

Nissan Australia Partner

Nissan Australia Managing Director Stephen Lester said: “Nissan is proud to partner with CSIRO and Delta Electronics to deliver this innovative trial and acknowledges the investment of the Victorian Government in supporting this project.”

“A study of this nature will enable greater EV adoption both here and around the world reducing impact on the grid,” Mr Lester said.

Following the test period, project partners will evaluate data collected throughout the trial, with the intention of confirming associated environmental and cost benefits.

This article first appeared on the CSIRO website

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