The Family Solar-powered car wins race across Australia

Stella, a four-seater car developed by Solar Team Eindhoven, the world’s first solar-powered family car is the winner of the race across Australia.

Image © Solar Team Eindhoven

The Solar Team Eindhoven from the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in the Netherlands, today is the winner in the Cruiser class at the World Solar Challenge 2013.

Solar Team Eindhoven, said:

“The team was judged on several aspects like comfort, features, styling and aesthetics but also parallel parking and cargo space. Being the only one with a license plate, the road registration of Stella added up in the final score.”

A combination of time, recharging from the mains, the number of passengers and the final jury verdict on Saturday decided that the students from TU/e really were the World Champions in solar-powered family cars. Director Chris Selwood: “I congratulate Solar Team Eindhoven on their innovation, practical design and foresight, to think outside the square and add the extra seats. ‘Stella’ is a wonderful solar car in a field of exceptional cars and teams. I look forward to 2015 and the prospect of more cruisers as we work toward the world’s most efficient electric car,” Chris said.
There’s a great sense of relief among the students from TU/e. By winning the Race to the Sun they’ve underlined their vision: building the family car of the future. “We’ve set the new standard”, said team manager Lex Hoefsloot. “After one-and-a-half years of hard work we’ve not only proved that the world’s first solar-powered family car is now a reality, but at the same time we’ve won the World Solar Challenge.”