Building a solar-powered off-road truck (based on a 712M Pinzgauer)

[shade]

I saw this elsewhere and thought I'd cross-post it here.

Building a solar-powered off-road truck (based on a 712M Pinzgauer)

We wanted to let you guys know that we are currently developing a solar-electric Pinzgauer. Right now, Hannes and Francois Duez (of AVS, France, AKA tech mastermind behind the electric Pinz) are burning the midnight oil to start testing the first prototype as soon as possible. Once the base...

www.expeditionportal.com

 

[john61ct]

Sitting around in the sun for days waiting to collect enough energy to go 20 more miles. . .

 

[luthj]

With a 13kw array and good sun, you could recover 100 miles of range a day in good conditions, maybe more. I am a bit skeptical, but the possibility is there.

 

[john61ct]

Yes that's a massive array, in many areas you won't have that much space to deploy it.

100miles range on 55kWh?

Now, if only the weather cooperates.

Shading issues?

But definitely a good science experiment, I'm all for whatever helps move us off fossil fuels.

Long as people imagining making use of such today's technology "in production" are realistic about the limitations.

 

[luthj]

The pack is 85 kwhr. With reasonable driving (under 60mph) I would think 100 miles is not unreasonable. There is no AC to pull power like a Tesla, and its not going fast regardless!

 

[DaveInDenver]

I have a feeling this is going to demonstrate that a Pinz can carry 45 panels on top of a layer of batteries in it's cargo space. So it'll work just as long you don't need to carry anything going 100 miles a day. Not to mention you must do all your driving at night since you'll need to deploy the panel array during the day.

 

[john61ct]

The pack is 85 kwh

Charging that in a single day even in sunny weather near the equator, will require 19+kW of panelage.

If they are only **using** 70% of the bank capacity, then 13kW may be enough,

but only in sunny weather near the equator.

 

[luthj]

I was including pack limits and solar charge rates in that estimate. Obviously if they are really far from the equator that will make a difference.

 

[shade]

No doubt it's an "awareness" project. On that front, it'll probably succeed. It won't be hard to attract attention with a field of PV surrounding it.

 

[luthj]

Pioneers have to go ahead of us all. Its easy to be a critic, but inspiring people is an important task, regardless of today's feasibility. Newspapers and horse riders everywhere mocked and derided gasoline fueled vehicles. You can't bring a refinery with you! My horse can graze anywhere!

 

[shade]

I'm fine with it, and I agree that awareness is a worthy goal. Those weren't quotation marks of derision.

 

[luthj]

I'm fine with it, and I agree that awareness is a worthy goal. Those weren't quotation marks of derision.

No sarcasm noted, mostly just posting that for myself. Sometimes use engineer types are too practical. Some projects are worth it just to push the envelope.

 

[john61ct]

Yes, PR stunts can be used for Good as well as evil, publicity for potential steps forward is critical to progress

>> definitely a good science experiment, I'm all for whatever helps move us off fossil fuels.

>> Long as people imagining making use of such today's technology "in production" are realistic about the limitations.