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this post was submitted on 16 Dec 2023
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Rough Google Maps estimate is at 2070mi.
While the vehicle looks slimmed down it's nice to know that the solar roof design, such as on the Prius, isn't a farfetched strategy for quelling range anxiety.
It's not that it's far-fetched. It's just impractical. Solar panels don't really generate that much power per square foot. Charging a car with just the roof can take days.
One model of solar roofed electric car on the market recharges ~20 miles per day with the roof.
Charging stations are a way better idea for road trips in electric cars, as is plugging the car in overnight. This is great for a remote hermit, but more interesting for the hack value than a practical option.
It's also a way for people who regularly travel less than 20 miles (if this number is correct).
Most device consume more power than you can realiable get from solar on the device. You can't power a cellphone from a back-mounted solar cell nor run a car from a solar roof alone.
But don't make the mistake to assume that everyone has (cheap) power at home or that everyone has a (suburban) home. Photovoltaic is cheap and reliable. And you need space, so it makes sense to put solar everywhere.