ForkenSwift meets a solar car (Xof1)
 

I recently had the chance for an interesting photo op with the ForkenSwift. It's pretty rare that we see another electric vehicle in this town, so it was even more amazing that the EV that came through was solar powered!

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1338833852

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1338833870

Of course, the solar panels don't work optimally when they're plastered with posters. The punch line of this solar car's visit is that it was being pulled by hand (by legs? feet?) on this journey, rather than driven.

The reason: despite having driven all across North America, including up to the artic circle and over ice roads in Canada's north, Ontario is the only jurisdiction where it can't be legally driven.

So as an environmental awareness campaign, the car's owner, Marcelo da Luz, pulled it from Toronto to Ottawa in May. (Power Of One Solar Car Project - Pull for the Environment 2012 )

I and some other locals acted as support volunteers while he was passing through our area, including driving the support vehicle (the role the ForkenSwift played for the in-town portion of the tour).

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1338834903

Above, going by the 1000 Islands International Bridge

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1338834927

Going down the parkway

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1338834927

Over the 2 days that I helped, we did 5 grade school presentations and one high school presentation.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1338834927

Note: kids get VERY excited about solar cars!

Marcelo capped off his epic trek with a visit to Parliament Hill in Ottawa, followed by an engaging presentation to EVCO (Electric Vehicle Council of Ottawa) last Monday evening.

Very cool! No spontaneous drag race once you got it out of town? :D

Ha - drag race!

Xof1 would spank the ForkenSwift badly in a match! 0-80 km/h (~50 mph) in 6 seconds for the solar car vs. infinity for me. :( Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more efficient, too.

Those cables... Is Forkenswift getting a solar charge?

How much speed do you get out of your metro?
I saw you used a forklift motor but those could be any where from 2 to 30 horse power.

I wish.... but not with those posters covering all those cells!

The motor isn't the limiting factor in this conversion - the system voltage is (48 volts). I was told by a motor expert I could confidently coax ~100 hp or more from the motor in this baby by upping the v's (plus adding cooling, etc).

At 48 v, it tops out at ~60-65 km/h (~40 mph). Good for around town.

How come ?
You can drive your Forkenswift legally (something that would be near-impossible here). Why can't he drive the Xof1 ?

The province specifically banned solar cars following a crash/fatality involving a student team a number of years ago.

Good thing no one ever crashed an SUV in that province, then... :D