Abstract
The article describes the solar-powered car, Sunraycer, that could be a practical alternative to fuel-burning vehicles. The car was designed to compete in the race from Darwin to Adelaide in Australia. The car had a low-drag, aerodynamic shape which required multiple curved surfaces for the solar panels which took the form of 5 gently curved facets. Gallium arsenide cells were incorported to achieve the highest power possible with the streamlined body. Design to counteract crosswind efects is described. A major innovation was the lightweight Magnequench brushless motor. Another element in its efficency was its use of regeneration brakes. A key part of Sunraycer's electrical system was the silver-zinc batteries. The application of Sunraycer's technology to urban transportation is discussed. The use of lightweight materials in the construction of the electric vehicle is discussed. Methods of reducing rolling resistance are described. A program to introduce electric vans to an urban fleet is described.
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