Air and solar-powered supercar being developed

16 January 2009

All those who think vehicles powered by on non-conventional sources of energy as being typically underpowered when compared to their fossil fuelled cousins, should take a close look at the latest vehicle being developed by California firm RORMaxx Automotive, established Rory Handel and Maxx Bricklin from Beverly Hills, California.

Dubbed Formula AE, you won't see the vehicle in any showroom soon as it will just be a working, full-scale racecar prototype.

However, it will incorporate some interesting new technology and concepts that the auto industry may benefit from. It will initially use a solar-powered battery to move, but later depend upon the airflow around it to power a turbine.

The engine to be used in the Formula AE will be an advanced current induction motor capable of a 212kw power output. The vehicle is expect to be able to accelerate from 0 to100 kilometers per hour in under four seconds, with a top speed of 250 kilometers per hour. Energy storage will be in the form of lightweight Lithium Phosphate batteries and ultra capacitors.

The Formula AE will be covered with flexible, thin film solar cells that are expected to extend the car's range by 15-40 per cent, but the most interesting part of the vehicle is its wind power aspect. Energy lost under the friction of air will be recovered through four intakes and directed into turbines containing brushless synchronous alternators.

The power generated will then be stored in ultra-capacitors.