Video Summary
Here is a summary of the YouTube video review:Solar-electric cars can be plugged in for faster charges and longer range.
Solar panels provide a portion of the car's range, functioning as an electric-electric hybrid.
The Lightyear Zero, known as Lightyear One, appears to be the most sophisticated solar car.
The Lightyear Zero has 54 square feet of solar panels, potentially delivering 40-45 miles of driving per day, with a total range of 390 miles.
The car’s battery pack weighs around 3500 pounds, which isn't super lightweight, but good compared to other EVs with battery packs.
The Lightyear Zero uses compact, simple in-wheel motors.
These cars will not be available in the US anytime soon.
The Sono Sion is cheaper at about $30,000.
It has a 190-mile range from the battery and an additional 70-150 miles per week from solar.
The Sono Sion doesn’t look great, but maximizes solar panels on almost every surface.
It is meant to be a potential power source for other things.
The Sono Sion is manufactured by Valmet of Finland.
The Aptera Solar Vehicle has an aeronautic design and a three-wheel layout.
The Aptera will be in several models with different battery sizes: 250 miles to 1000 miles range.
The light car uses a light battery, resulting in high efficiency.
Aptera solar panels and batteries could cover average running around town.
The Aptera is aimed for US sales, with prices ranging from $25,000 to $50,000.
The solar cars make the driver need to charge only for unusual/unexpected situations or longer trips.
Solar cars might become a hit with the “prepper community.”
The solar component may help loosen the constraints on range anxiety.
Solar cars might be a micro-hit with an interesting niche market, with a good base to build on.
