A group of university students from the Netherlands completed a journey of nearly 3,000 km in a vehicle powered only by energy from the Sun, in an adventure to demonstrate that sustainable vehicles are efficient. The 22 students enrolled at the Eindhoven University of Technology, in the Netherlands, claim that the ‘Van’ developed – named Stella Vita – is the first motorhome powered by solar energy in the world. With its roof covered in solar panels and wings that open with additional panels, the team achieved 17.5 square meters of coverage that generate enough energy to live and drive.
\It has a license plate, can travel up to 453 miles (730 km) in 24 hours and reach a speed of 120 kilometers per hour. The motorhome is made for two people, has a kitchen with fridge, living area, bed, shower and toilet. “Stella Vita is a self-sustaining house on wheels”, guarantees the Eindhoven University of Technology. “Through solar panels on the roof, it is independent of charging stations.”
“The vehicle generates enough solar energy to drive, shower, watch TV, charge your laptop and make coffee,” say its developers. Within a year, the students managed to design and build the mobile home, and last month they completed their demonstration trip. from Eindhoven in the Netherlands to the southern tip of Spain. Drivers and passengers can also track how much energy is used and how much is left. The vehicle has a 60 kilowatt-hour battery that allows it to travel 600 kilometers at night.
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