So you think EVs are a headache - how about fixing a solar powered car? The good news is that if things are quiet I guess you can always moonlight as a solar panel installer.
The first production solar powered car was the Finnish Lightyear Zero launched in 2022 with a claim that in sunny climes you could go four months between charges, but it was pricey at $AU231,000. The Zero’s bodywork incorporates five square metres of solar panels, which can add up to 12km of driving range every hour on a sunny day and charge while on the move.
Lightyear was planning a more affordable model 2 ($AU46,500) due for launch this year or next but decided to change the business model to concentrate on high-efficiency solar panels and not car making.
Interestingly another company was planning to build a solar powered car in Finland. I say that because it's a country where in the north there is very little sunlight in the winter but I guess on the flip side you can drive all day and night in summer. Launched with a crowdfunding campaign in 2016, Sono Motors developed an electric car covered in solar cells to extend its range. However, the launch of the “Sion” had to be postponed repeatedly because of financial issues, and the company abandoned the project altogether last year and filed for receivership. Although it looks like they have been saved by a hedge fund company their website is all about solar panel kits for trucks and buses and there doesn't seem to be a whisper about the Sion at the moment. Both cars would only have been available in Europe.
Meanwhile over the pond in the US Aptera has released a three-wheeled solar car which will be available for order in Australia - although it would take a braver person that me to drive around with all the UTEs and SUVs in this country in something that tiny.
So in conclusion I don't think you have to worry about learning solar installation skills just yet - so one less thing to worry about - happy days. But then there's hydrogen cars coming...