Motoring Blog

It’s hard to imagine a green vehicle coming out of Hungary, but Antro Solo managed to impress many of us. It’s the name of a gas-electric hybrid vehicle with a futuristic and unusual design. Sure it’s not the prettiest car out there, but it will certainly have its place under the sun.

As you can see from the photo, the roof of the car is fully covered with solar cells which generate solar energy for charging the batteries. The amount of energy generated by the cells is enough to go a distance of 15-25km. When the sun goes down these cells are useless, which is why designers and engineers made special pedals below every seat. Using those pedals passengers will produce energy for the vehicle’s generator, but naturally this manual option is just an alternative. Here is what Inhabitat reports.

If there hasn’t been enough sun to power the batteries, each passenger’s seat comes equipped with pedals that can power the vehicles generator. If you are by yourself, or everyone gets tired, the car can switch to its small combustion engine that is capable of running on petrol or ethanol.

The Antro Solo is made of carbon fiber which helped make the vehicle weigh just 270kg. Such small weight influences the fuel efficiency and the speed as well. According to Engadget Antro Solo uses 150 miles per gallon on the highway and 117 mpg in the city, while being able to reach a maximum speed of 87 miles per hour.

But the most interesting thing is that the Solo is not going to remain a concept vehicle. It will be available in 2012 at a cost of around $20,000.

No related posts.