Students develop car that runs on solar energy

Date:07/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/07/stories/2008100750560200.htm
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Students develop car that runs on solar energy
KOCHI: A group of engineering students at Mary Matha Engineering College, Paliyode, Thiruvananthapuram, has come up with what they have described as “a compact vehicle which works with a hub motor, utilising electricity, charged by solar panels.”

The use of electricity makes the innovation eco-friendly as well as noise-free. The battery of the car can be charged with the help of direct sunlight using the solar panels, said a communication from the students.

The innovators are Aristotle Ashok, Unnikrishnan M.A., Saji M.P., Titto B.S., Rahul S.L. and Ajith C.G. with guidance from their instructor Shyam Kumar.

The major feature of the new type car is that the driver’s seat can be rotated 180 degrees and the entire control of the vehicle like steering, accelerator and head lights are connected to the seat so that the concept of reverse driving becomes obsolete. The car can travel at 40 km per hour.