Tesla might come up with a solar-powered van but not soon.
Tesla is one of the most popular car brands right, and the American automaker creates mass hysteria every time it hints at a potential new concept, or at least that’s what we saw with the Cybertruck. Now, the possibilities of Tesla building an electric van are doing the rounds.
Appearing in an interview on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Elon Musk elaborated on the possibilities of Tesla making a solar-powered van and its feasibility given the technology available right now.
Tesla’s CEO explained that solar-powered vehicles wouldn’t be practical if solar power indeed was used as the primary source of power. This is because most solar panels have a maximum efficiency of around 40%. Considering that one square meter of solar panel produces 1 kilowatt of energy and provides at least 25% efficiency, then the range available even after a day’s charge would be insufficient. Musk said that even after all these factors considered, one would be lucky to get a 10-mile range.
Additionally, the angle of the solar panels with respect to the Sun also plays a significant part in their efficiency. So that means that if you are on the road, charging on the go wouldn’t be helpful. Forget about storing energy and driving in the dark too.
Musk also talked about the concept of folding solar panels on the roof of a van. This would undoubtedly provide more surface area, but again one can expect a maximum range of only 30 miles per day if you’re lucky enough and everything goes to plan. The cost of developing such a vehicle would be huge, and customers will have to shell out a lot of money for a below-par performance and practicality.
Musk’s reply to questions on a solar-powered Tesla van made a lot of sense but at the same time dismisses any possibility of one coming soon. Tesla will have to work on a considerably low power-consuming concept vehicle. Engineers will also have to develop a more efficient solar panel, and that’s something many people are already working on. Add to that the fact that Tesla’s current models are doing very well, Tesla wouldn’t be inclined towards developing a solar electric van soon.
Elon Musk’s closing statement was a tongue-in-cheek one, saying, “Even if the apocalypse came around, you could still drive.”
