Taking a SolarTaxi Around the World!
by Matthew Sparkes, London, UK on 06.17.07
Louis Palmer wants to be the first man to drive around the world in a solar-powered car. He has started a project, SolarTaxi, which aims to circumvent the globe in the green car, meeting politicians and policy makers as they go. "With the power of the sun around the world - stop global warming! 40.000 km... 40 countries... 14 months..."
The Swiss team will head of on the 3rd of July from Lucerne in Switzerland. Palmer has previously tested the car out on a relatively short dash to Spain and back, a round-trip of 3,000 km.
If this sounds interesting, then get in touch with the group, they're currently looking to arrange visits on their way around the world. "Organise our visit in your town! We are looking for organisors and people who help us when we arrive. Give us a place to stay, organise the media, organise a school in your neighbourhood that we can visit or come to one of our events! Send us your idea before you start doing anything. We are looking forward to hearing from you!" ::SolarTaxi, via SustainaBee
See also ::Using Solar Roofs To Power Hybrids :: Video: The Built-from-Scratch Solar Car
It might be nice to note that the site is in German.
If this car is at all practical, I want one!
I do realise that it's generally going to be more efficient to have the solar panels in a fixed location, and charge batteries off them for the car, but there is something about the independence of being able to travel as far as you want, only needing sunlight, that appeals to me deeply.
Circumvent?? Doesn't that mean they plan to avoid the World altogether?..Or are you being ironic and this is just the latest Bushism that I haven't heard yet?
circumvent or circumnavigate?
circumnavigate i think!
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
cir·cum·vent /ˌsɜrkəmˈvɛnt, ˈsɜrkəmˌvɛnt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[sur-kuhm-vent, sur-kuhm-vent] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb (used with object)
1. to go around or bypass: to circumvent the lake; to circumvent the real issues.
2. to avoid (defeat, failure, unpleasantness, etc.) by artfulness or deception; avoid by anticipating or outwitting: He circumvented capture by anticipating their movements.
3. to surround or encompass, as by stratagem; entrap: to circumvent a body of enemy troops.
40.000 km... 40 countries... 14 months
That's 7 mph at 8 hours per day. Bike and he could cover it at twice the speed.