Discussion
This looks like an interesting development:
https://newdawn.lightyear.one/
After we have got 2-3 tonne electric SUVs with lunatic performance out of our systems I think the smart move is to ultra-efficient stuff like this. Probably needs a societal shift in perceptions of luxury first though.
https://newdawn.lightyear.one/
After we have got 2-3 tonne electric SUVs with lunatic performance out of our systems I think the smart move is to ultra-efficient stuff like this. Probably needs a societal shift in perceptions of luxury first though.
Edited by AnotherClarkey on Wednesday 26th June 22:04
Sorry, but the numbers don't just add up yet in the real world. The solar panels, unless you live somewhere really sunny, like North africa, are effectively useless (in the UK, they won't even pay for their cost over 10y of driving according to my calcs)
And it's not exactly cheap, and the build quality is going to be iffy (compared to the established players at that price point)
Basically all the problems Tesla had, for about 10 years, but unlike Tesla, who have had that time with serious competition from the major OE's, this car is going to arrive slap bang in the middle of a literal charge (sic) of new, shiny, EV metal that's been fastidiously and expensively developed by organisations who have been optimising there product for 30 years or more.
It's also worth noting that i've never yet seen a wheel motor that's actually passed a complete PassCar test and demonstrated full durability to it's design life, not to mention there is currently a large question mark around what happens if you pull off a wheel (easy to do in a fairly minor crash or kerb strike) and expose the HVDC bus ?!?!
I predict they'll make a few, and then quietly do a "Karma"..... ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisker_Karma )
And it's not exactly cheap, and the build quality is going to be iffy (compared to the established players at that price point)
Basically all the problems Tesla had, for about 10 years, but unlike Tesla, who have had that time with serious competition from the major OE's, this car is going to arrive slap bang in the middle of a literal charge (sic) of new, shiny, EV metal that's been fastidiously and expensively developed by organisations who have been optimising there product for 30 years or more.
It's also worth noting that i've never yet seen a wheel motor that's actually passed a complete PassCar test and demonstrated full durability to it's design life, not to mention there is currently a large question mark around what happens if you pull off a wheel (easy to do in a fairly minor crash or kerb strike) and expose the HVDC bus ?!?!
I predict they'll make a few, and then quietly do a "Karma"..... ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisker_Karma )
It’s panels all the way from front to back? ...stone chips? Cat jumping on it to welcome you home ?(which is what ours does and then she stretches across the bonnet trying to anchor her claws in).
Kammback, just about, almost going full tear drop. Presumably to get the real estate for the panels, but perhaps at the cost of some practicality? I heard as well that it’s packing around 60kwh of batteries and only weighs 1300kg. That’s pretty good going when you consider a model 3 is 1800kg?
Interesting anyway, in the same way the VW XL-1 was.
I love the covered wheels and the general Blade Runner/iRobot/Tron look.
Kammback, just about, almost going full tear drop. Presumably to get the real estate for the panels, but perhaps at the cost of some practicality? I heard as well that it’s packing around 60kwh of batteries and only weighs 1300kg. That’s pretty good going when you consider a model 3 is 1800kg?
Interesting anyway, in the same way the VW XL-1 was.
I love the covered wheels and the general Blade Runner/iRobot/Tron look.
AnotherClarkey said:
Vorix said:
....and a shift in what people expect to pay for a car €119000
Well yes but people already pay far more than that for all sorts of stuff. Might pick up some early adopters who went to Tesla but want the next thing now they are commonplace?I would also suggest that the main reason we don’t see that many EVs in general is the high relative initial cost when compared with similarly sized and capable ICE vehicles. This effort won’t help.
REALIST123 said:
Other than a house, I can’t think of anything that the majority of the population would pay ‘far more’ than €119000 for, in one sum or over a short term
I would also suggest that the main reason we don’t see that many EVs in general is the high relative initial cost when compared with similarly sized and capable ICE vehicles. This effort won’t help.
Who mentioned 'the majority of the population'?I would also suggest that the main reason we don’t see that many EVs in general is the high relative initial cost when compared with similarly sized and capable ICE vehicles. This effort won’t help.
A lot of interesting ideas but esp at the cost I dont see it being more than a boutique brand - I dont know if thy have ambitions to be more though?
Potentially you could do an average daily commute by using the solar alone which is quite an achievement.
But you could buy a decent mainstream EV, 5-8kw of solar on your roof and a sizable home battery for storage and it would work out better...
Potentially you could do an average daily commute by using the solar alone which is quite an achievement.
But you could buy a decent mainstream EV, 5-8kw of solar on your roof and a sizable home battery for storage and it would work out better...
I’m always suspicious of anybody claiming a ‘breakthrough in efficiency’ especially when there is no explanation of what that actually means.
I believe the best commercially available solar panels are around 20-25% efficient and produce around 200W per square metre, which no doubt requires them to be facing directly at the sun. Are they claiming to have improved that?
I suspect that the production variant of this car (if it gets to that stage) will end up be significantly different to what is shown, as mentioned earlier some of the design features just don’t make sense in the real world, why add all that weight to the unsprung mass for example?
Maybe this car would work as a niche product for those seeking maximum eco-points in California but I think it is irrelevant to the UK market.
I believe the best commercially available solar panels are around 20-25% efficient and produce around 200W per square metre, which no doubt requires them to be facing directly at the sun. Are they claiming to have improved that?
I suspect that the production variant of this car (if it gets to that stage) will end up be significantly different to what is shown, as mentioned earlier some of the design features just don’t make sense in the real world, why add all that weight to the unsprung mass for example?
Maybe this car would work as a niche product for those seeking maximum eco-points in California but I think it is irrelevant to the UK market.
SpikeBmth said:
Fully Charged review > https://t.co/vGdf9UHdRH
Yeah, its such a shame Fully charged are not a bit more objective. No mention of crash tests, multimedia systems, realistic solar charging or the shear amount of investment it takes to make a car.AnotherClarkey said:
This looks like an interesting development:
https://newdawn.lightyear.one/
After we have got 2-3 tonne electric SUVs with lunatic performance out of our systems I think the smart move is to ultra-efficient stuff like this. Probably needs a societal shift in perceptions of luxury first though.
Whats all this Buzz about lightyear? [chuckle]https://newdawn.lightyear.one/
After we have got 2-3 tonne electric SUVs with lunatic performance out of our systems I think the smart move is to ultra-efficient stuff like this. Probably needs a societal shift in perceptions of luxury first though.
Edited by AnotherClarkey on Wednesday 26th June 22:04
and i dont really call the design progress...
GT119 said:
produce around 200W per square metre
Yep I think they have around 6sqm of them so 1.2kw potential. They've been quite clever in wiring them so if only some have sun it still works, its many many small panels effectively. Thats obviously a complicated and expensive way to go though.iain123 said:
Yeah, its such a shame Fully charged are not a bit more objective. No mention of crash tests, multimedia systems, realistic solar charging or the shear amount of investment it takes to make a car.
Strange, I distinctly remember them mentioning both crash tests and realistic solar charging?I tend to view the solar charging as a relatively minor part of the concept - the real interest here (for me, at least) is the emphasis on achieving a long range via lightness, good aerodynamics and efficiency rather than just by building in ever more massive battery packs.
I suspect the solar charging will have some modest benefits but it is mostly a nice way of showing where the team came from.
AnotherClarkey said:
the real interest here (for me, at least) is the emphasis on achieving a long range via lightness, good aerodynamics and efficiency rather than just by building in ever more massive battery packs.
Just as Tesla, Jaguar, Porsche, BMW etc. have done with their BEVs. The reality is that the ‘roadworthy’ production version of the lightyear will be heavier, less efficient, and probably more expensive than they current claim (assuming they can fund the hundreds of millions on development and compliance).RobDickinson said:
GT119 said:
produce around 200W per square metre
Yep I think they have around 6sqm of them so 1.2kw potential. They've been quite clever in wiring them so if only some have sun it still works, its many many small panels effectively. Thats obviously a complicated and expensive way to go though.(ie, solar panel cracks due to a dent, water leaks into crack, next time it rains (or someone washing the car) gets a shock!)
Max_Torque said:
They will have to avoid any single "string" exceeding 50 VDC under the worst case sun (highest solar load) to avoid getting hit by the "HV safety" directive, which for fragile solar panels on the outside of a car, which is subject to knocks, dents, crashes and numerous other incidents, is a complete nightmare to certify!
(ie, solar panel cracks due to a dent, water leaks into crack, next time it rains (or someone washing the car) gets a shock!)
The panels look placed under normal auto glass so electric shocks shouldn't be a problem (ie, solar panel cracks due to a dent, water leaks into crack, next time it rains (or someone washing the car) gets a shock!)
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