Ford Goes Solar For 2014 CES
Potential owners of plug-in hybrids seeking for a way to recharge their green machine without the need for an outlet may soon rely upon the sun for power, all thanks to Ford’s debut of their C-Max Solar Energi Concept at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Monday.
The C-Max Solar Energi Concept can be plugged into a power source when convenient, but for times when outlets aren’t readily available, an off-vehicle concentrator utilizing a Fresnel lens (usually found in lighthouses) aids in drawing in and magnifying the power of the sun upon the concept’s roof-mounted solar panels. According to Ford, the power collected could be enough to cover 75 percent of any trips the owner may take, each day providing the equivalent of four hours’ worth of charging.
As far as performance is concerned, the Solar Energi is on par with the C-Max Energi currently in showrooms, which pulls in the equivalent of 108 MPGe in the city/92 MPGe on the highway. Fully charged, the concept is expected to share its sister’s range of 620 miles, 21 miles electric-only.
The project is a collaboration between the Blue Oval, San Jose, Calif.-based SunPower, and the Georgia Institute of Technology, all three of whom will begin real-world testing to determine production feasibility after the annual electronics show.
More by TTAC Staff
Latest Car Reviews
Read moreLatest Product Reviews
Read moreRecent Comments
- Bd2 Eh, the Dollar has held up well against most other currencies and the IRA is actually investing in critical industries, unlike the $6 Trillion in pandemic relief/stimulus which was just a cash giveaway (also rife with fraud).What Matt doesn't mention is that the price of fuel (particularly diesel) is higher relative to the price of oil due to US oil producers exporting records amount of oil and refiners exporting records amount of fuel. US refiners switched more and more production to diesel fuel, which lowers the supply of gas here (inflating prices). But shouldn't that mean low prices for diesel?Nope, as refiners are just exporting the diesel overseas, including to Mexico.
- Jor65756038 As owner of an Opel Ampera/Chevrolet Volt and a 1979 Chevy Malibu, I will certainly not buy trash like the Bolt or any SUV or crossover. If GM doesn´t offer a sedan, then I will buy german, sweedish, italian, asian, Tesla or whoever offers me a sedan. Not everybody like SUV´s or crossovers or is willing to buy one no matter what.
- Bd2 While Hyundai has enough models that offer a hybrid variant, problem has been inadequate supply, so this should help address that.In particular, US production of PHEVs will make them eligible for the tax credit.
- Zipper69 "At least Lincoln finally learned to do a better job of not appearing to have raided the Ford parts bin"But they differentiate by being bland and unadventurous and lacking a clear brand image.
- Zipper69 "The worry is that vehicles could collect and share Americans' data with the Chinese government"Presumably, via your cellphone connection? Does the average Joe in the gig economy really have "data" that will change the balance of power?
Comments
Join the conversation
The more logical leap is to house roof mounted solar panels and the car connected when parked to provide the house with a non interruptible power source/charge car, etc.
What a stupid idea from Ford. Ford must think the average American is so unintelligent they won't recognize this PR stunt. Ford I have bad news. What the unintelligent public sees is your dismal reliability rankings in Consumer Reports.