Ford reveals sun-powered concept: Ford C-Max Solar Energi
The Ford C-Max Solar Energi concept vehicle features solar powered technology which allows it to harness the energy from the sun to charge the battery and drive the electric motor, thus significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
The C-Max Solar Energi concept is the American’s company endeavor related to its goal of developing a car that has the benefits of a plug-in hybrid – low emissions and low fuel consumption figures – but without having to rely on the electric power grid.
The concept car features solar panels integrated into its roof and uses a Frensel lens to direct the sun’s rays into the panels – the lens acts like a magnifying glass and boosts sunlight by a factor of eight. According to the carmaker, the technology will significantly reduce the car’s greenhouse-emissions by up to four metric tons each year.
Ford is also claiming that the concept vehicle will be capable of delivering performance close to the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid EV, after just one day’s worth of sunlight. This means that the vehicle is capable of generating about 8kW of power, has an electric range of 34km, a total range of 1000km and an official fuel consumption number of 2.4L/100km.
As we mentioned earlier, Ford’s goal was to keep the car off the grid, but despite this the concept does retain a charge point, which means that owners would have the option of connecting their car to a charging station – maybe after a few consecutive rainy days you’ll need to plug it to the grid. However, the carmaker estimates that up to 75 percent of all daily drives could be made just by using solar power, thus leaving the plug-in capabilities as a back-up scenario.
In 2013, Ford sold only six electrified models all around the world but its hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles numbered about 85,000 units for the year.
