electric ford C-MAX solar energi concept goes off the grid

electric ford C-MAX solar energi concept goes off the grid
all images courtesy ford motor company

ford motor company has presented the ‘C-MAX solar energi concept’ ahead of the 2014 international CES in las vegas, a solar-powered plug-in hybrid vehicle that doesn’t depend on the electric grid for fuel. instead of powering its battery from an electrical outlet, the concept car harnesses the energy of the sun by using a special concentrator that acts like a magnifying glass, directing intense rays to solar panels on the vehicle’s roof. with a full charge, the ford ‘C-MAX solar energi’ is estimated to have the same total range as a conventional C-MAX energi with up to 1000km (626 miles), including up to 35 electric-only kilometers (21 miles). in addition, the concept still features a charger port, and can be powered by connecting to an on-the-grid EV charging station via plug and and cord.

‘by tapping renewable solar energy with a rooftop solar panel system, C-MAX solar energi concept is not dependent on the traditional electric grid for its battery power,’ states ford motor company. ‘internal data suggests the sun could power up to 75 percent of all trips made by an average driver in a solar hybrid vehicle — this could be especially important in places where the electric grid is underdeveloped, unreliable or expensive to use.’ 

the concept car harnesses the energy of the sun by using a special concentrator that acts like a magnifying glass

the concept features a charger port that can still be powered by connecting to an EV charging station

solar panel detail

solar panel detail

plug-in charging port