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Dutch Students Developed A Solar-Powered VW Bus That Can Reach A Range Of 724 Km And Can Also Serve As Housing.
Stella Vita has a bed, bathroom, living area, and several other modern amenities. Have you ever imagined traveling in a solar-powered VW Bus without needing to refuel at any gas station? This is the proposal from a team of students from the Netherlands, who completed a trip of 3,000 kilometers across Europe in a solar-powered car they developed themselves. The model was named Stella Vita.
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Solar-Powered VW Bus Can Travel Up To 724 Km
The vehicle resembles the iconic VW Bus, designed for two people who wish to enjoy the comfort of a living area, kitchen, bed, bathroom, and shower. Using only solar energy, Stella Vita can travel up to 724 km and also provide power to all internal rooms.
The solar-powered VW Bus features solar panels on the roof that can be expanded into a photovoltaic canopy when parked. Additionally, it can be charged via electric charging ports.
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According to Tijn ter Horst, a 20-year-old student from Eindhoven University of Technology, the technology is there; it just requires a shift in our mindset. The student states that if 22 students can develop and build a vehicle like this in a year, a company could likely do it too.
The trip with Stella Vita began in Eindhoven, Netherlands, on September 19 and was completed in Tarifa, in the southwest of Spain, on last Friday (15). The journey is part of the students’ challenge to demonstrate the potential of solar energy.
Students Build Other Vehicles Of This Type And Prove That Solar Energy Is The Energy Of The Future
It is worth noting that the solar-powered VW Bus is not the first solar-powered vehicle developed by the university in conjunction with the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, which is a competition for solar vehicles in Australia.
According to the team’s coordinator, Dr. Carlo Van der Weijer, there was no competition this year, so the students set their own challenges and goals with Stella Vita. In fact, while previous teams have won consecutive competitions with their five-seat designs, the coordinator asserts that there may be greater interest in the solar-powered VW Bus. This is because camping enthusiasts and environmentally conscious individuals can identify with Stella Vita, which does not rely on charging points.
According to the university students, the solar-powered VW Bus has become famous on the roads of Spain, attracting everyone’s attention. The coordinator explained that Stella Vita is an option in areas less exposed to sunlight. On a cloudy day, the model can still produce 60-70% of energy.
Volkswagen Is Developing An Electric VW Bus
The multinational held a presentation in July and revealed details about its upcoming electric vehicles, including the production version of the ID. Buzz, the successor to the VW Bus, which is set to hit the market in 2023.
The model will have a power of 374 horsepower and can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5 seconds and reach a top speed of 160 km/h.
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