First solar powered car designed and created by an Emirati on display in Dubai
8 March 2007
source_ UAE Interact.com
http://www.uaeinteract.com/news/default.asp?ID=231
The first solar powered car designed and created by an Emirati is currently on display in Dubai and has been drawing crowds intrigued by its sleek flat shape. The solar two-seater car can reach a maximum speed of 50km/h but is better suited to cruising at 45km/h, according to its creator Saqr Bin Saif, 30. The car will be displayed at the Emirates Towers Boulevard today and will later be moved to Wafi City mall.
“I would really like to drive it to Wafi on Sheikh Zayed Road but I don’t know if this will be possible because police will have to stop the traffic, it only goes at 45km/h,” said Bin Saif. Whipping out his mobile phone and activating a video, the car can be seen moving steadily down a residential street – proof that the invention works. The car took three months to build and before that spent four months on the drawing board being refined.
“It has four solar panels of 170 watt and two batteries which store the energy. It is ready to go now with the energy stored inside and doesn’t need to sit in the sun all day,” said Bin Saif. The car is 6 metres in length and 2 metres wide. It has room for a driver and a passenger and the seats are reclined offering a comfortable drive. There is no air conditioning, “like a Formula 1 car,” Bin Saif added. “I will be working on a new car which will be smaller and faster,” he said.
The venture is a first for UAE and not a business venture so the car has no price tag, said Bin Saif although he does see solar powered cars as a part of the future. (Gulf News)