Eindhoven University of Technology’s “Stella” electric car isn’t like other electric cars built at Universities around the world. This one, named Stella (which means “star” in Latin), seats four, meets crash-test standards in the Netherlands and possibly even here in America and produces more electricity in a year than it would expend in average daily use, thus sending excess power to the grid.On a clear day when the sun is at its brightest Stella makes 1.4 kilowatts of electricity from the array of photovoltaic cells plastered on its roof.
With two remarkably efficient motors driving the front wheels, a very low cross section for less wind resistance and tires that are seven times easier to roll than typical car tires, Stella can travel at 45 mph using only the electricity it makes from sunlight, or 1400 watts.“The same as a toaster,” said engineering student team leader Lex Hoefsloot. Room for four. Photo by Mark Vaughn For going any faster than that there’s a big onboard battery running the length of what looks like a transmission tunnel down the center of the car. Between the 16-kWh battery and the solar panel the car has a top speed of 80 mph and a range of almost 500 miles, Hoefsloot said.
The body is carbon fiber with an integrated roll cage. The cross section, the total surface it presents to the wind, is about half that of a regular car. There is neutral lift front and rear, meaning it is very aerodynamically efficient. But you’ve seen many electric cars made by college students that can run at great efficiencies.“The technology is not new,” said Hoefsloot. “It’s really about reshaping the car.”