Louis Palmer, an energetic and very determined Swiss school teacher, is on a mission around the world in his solar powered cab. The three wheeled vehicle is powered by the rays of the sun and can reach a top speed of 60mph and can travel up to 280 miles from a single charge. The vehicle tows a small trailer which carries the solar panels that supply the Zebra batteries with the electricity. The cab can travel up to 120 miles on a full charge without the trailer.
According to team leader Louis Palmer, the car in mass production
could be produced for about $5,000. Solartaxi started its journey on
July 3rd 2007 and will finish in December 2008 in Poznan, Poland just in time for the World Climate Change Conference. Hopefully, there will be enough sunshine at that time of year in Poland for the Solartaxi to make it home.
Having crossed the US, Palmer and his crew arrived in NYC last Friday, coincidentally they arrived just in time to see fellow Swiss Roger Federer, win the men's Open Tennis final for the fifth consecutive year. Bravo to both.
The Solartaxi has stopped in many cities across the country, including San Francisco. Many of these encounters are captured on video and can be seen on You Tube. The video below includes a visit with the Bay area's Tesla and a race with the Roadster.