The most efficient solar car ever presented in Antwerp: 'Better than Elon Musk's Tesla'
The Innoptus Solar Team has unveiled its latest and tenth solar car, the Infinite, in Antwerp. Powered entirely by solar energy, it is "the most efficient ever", says team manager Cedric Verlinden.
Under the name Innoptus Solar Team, a group of students from KU Leuven travel around the world with their solar cars to participate in competitions. Their latest model, the Infinite, presented in Antwerp, is similar to the BluePoint Atlas, the Solar Team's previous solar car. It is a pointy, narrow model surrounded by solar panels that can seat one person.
Technologically, however, some notable improvements have been made. The battery pack has been redesigned so the car can travel 900 kilometres without recharging. The engine can also reach a peak efficiency of 98 per cent. "This puts us ahead of Elon Musk's Tesla," says Verlinden.
It is the most efficient and reliable solar car the Solar Team has ever built
There is also a longer fin at the top of the vehicle, making it easier for the Infinite to 'surf' crosswinds, using up to four times less energy. At 170 kilometres per hour, the solar car can reach a higher top speed than the BluePoint Atlas. "It is the most efficient and reliable solar car the Solar Team has ever built," says Verlinden.
With Infinite, the students hope to win the 2023 World Solar Challenge. This biennial solar car competition will occur in Australia from 22 to 29 October. With competitors from more than 50 universities, the Innoptus Solar Team will have to complete a journey of more than 3,000 kilometres from Darwin through the desert to Adelaide.
#FlandersNewsService | The iLumen European Solar Challenge is a 24-hour endurance race and has very few participants and no audience this year due to the corona pandemic. In front solar car BluePoint of .Agoria Solar Team, KU Leuven, winner of the 2019 World Solar Challenge
© BELGA PHOTO INE GILLIS © BELGA VIDEO INE GILLIS
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