Re: Solar Electric Sports Coupe Q & A (4)
Q. Do the batteries take up the entire trunk and under hood space?
A. As there is no fuel tank, The Stinger offers plenty of trunk space (10 cubic feet) as well as fold down seats in the rear. However, the front (typical the under hood engine area) of the vehicle is only accessible with the entire solar shell removed; this area houses almost half of the batteries and almost all electronics on board. This designed weight in the optimum positions allows the Stinger to have ‘designed-in’ weight distribution and low roll center for cornering stability. The ride height, combined with the high technology chassis, achieves excellent general road holding performance characteristics.
Q. How will the Stinger be charged away from home?
A. As I'm sure you're already aware, the Stinger primarily uses sunlight to charge the photovoltaic cells at all times- while driving or parked. Unlike other electric vehicles that would require a recharge after a long commute to work- simply park the Stinger in an area exposed to sunlight (even shade works- though not as well) and your vehicle's batteries will likely be fully recharged offering you full-power for the commute home! At night or on an extremely overcast day, a standard single phase home type power source can be used to charge and is available just about anywhere by using the onboard "Four Corner" chargers (which are easily accessible just above the wheel wells). For a fast charge, a 3 phase power supply is required and with the interest in electric powered vehicles increasing significantly, more high power charging stations will be installed for other less efficient vehicles. Most garage forecourt and industrial areas already have this level of high power source available and therefore can be fitted with a universal charging station for emergency recharging. This industrial charge line can be accessed through the small door located just above the Faux Exhaust outlets in the rear.
Q. Is the technology proven?
A. Yes, though this is the first four passenger, highway legal, every day usability design- solar racers have been built for almost 20 years. Likewise, we plan to demonstrate the viability of the design in the upcoming Automotive-X Design Competition with a Stinger design submission. For a full reconciliation of how we've designed the Stinger to meet or exceed all competition standards see:
http://auto.xprize.org/auto/automotive-x-prize/draft-guidelines for comparison with this product description.
Q. Why doesn't the Stinger come in a four door version?
A. There are several reasons for not offering a four door model. Most of those reasons are directly related to overall vehicle weight and the need to maintain a very rigid and strong passenger compartment balanced with creating as much solar charging surface area on the vehicle as possible. Notice the solar surfaces are located on the shell that are directly behind the side windows; this is a uniquely curved and louvered shell that actually allows for some solar charging to take place even when the sun is just rising or setting at low points on the horizon. The resulting benefit is more charging time during the entire dusk until dawn day. However, since the solar design does not lend itself to four traditionally placed doors, the oversized gull-wing type doors were designed to promote much easier back seat ingress/egress than typical two door coupes. Plus, the gull-wing design has the additional benefit of opening nearly straight up in tight parking space situations.
Q. Why doesn't Stinger Motors Inc. offer an SUV or pickup truck in addition to the four passenger coupe?
A. In time we will offer other models as the technology to both create and sell these types of vehicles at a reasonable cost, to our middle-class consumers, becomes available. As mentioned elsewhere in corporate literature, presently our ability to produce this car, at a price competitive with similarly sized gasoline powered vehicles, is dependent upon using readily available and affordable technology. Putting the solar powered coupe on the market was our effort to drive the prices down and force other car makers into the affordable electric car "Green" arena. Though we've patented the design, we will offer it to other auto makers for a VERY reasonable price once our worldwide dealer network is in place. However, the technology that allows for much heavier and larger vehicles to become electric powered may not be forthcoming for a while from other large, primarily internal combustion, car makers. Yes, we could make these types of vehicles as EVs, but unlike the Stinger- they would require much more frequent on-grid recharging, beyond the built in solar recharging capacity and that equals more coal and nuclear power plants. No thanks!
Q. Won't the plastic crack or break?
No, it will not break under any normal circumstances. Both the solar shell and lower body shell are designed to withstand far greater impacts than would normally crack or break a typical automotive windshield. Similar technology has been used on American sports cars and boats for over 50 years. Yes, if you are in a severe crash, the vehicle will crack and/or break. However, note the padded interior surfaces, airbags and aluminum passenger safety cage as described in our separate safety feature illustration above.
Q. Does the car really float?
Yes, this feature is a simple byproduct of the sealed plastic shell design, though it was not ever designed to be driven in water (thereby causing the vehicle's tires to loose contact with road surfaces) or even partially submerse the electric wheel motors. Keep in mind, if you intentionally drive your vehicle into water that causes the vehicle to float- unless it's an officially government declared flooding emergency- you have effectively voided the vehicle's factory warranty period. However, even though we highly discourage immersing the vehicle- due to a lack of steering control (The Stinger is not a boat) and other uncontrollable factors, such as floating debris- we also recognize that this accidental feature of the car might also save your life if you are trapped in quickly rising water.* See owners manual for emergency operating situations and steering, in 4WD, towards dry surfaces quickly while the vehicle is afloat.
Q. Are there instances in which the Stinger would not be a good choice for a daily driver?
Though the Stinger is designed to do many things well, there are some driving habits and needs that might rule the Stinger out as a primary vehicle. These circumstances might include:
High ground clearance needed (more than six inches)
Towing a trailer or large/heavy cargo (for which the Stinger has no provisions)
Roof or trunk racks needed (not possible due to solar design)
Regular extreme cold weather operation (i.e. Arctic)
Adults or children unable to maneuver into the back seats
No garage available during very cold (if typical in your area) winter season
Zero Access to on-grid electricity (recharging) during a night time emergency
Regularly exceeding the 850lb passenger/cargo capacity
Primary driving on gravel covered roads causing extraordinary stone damage
Q. Will this car put other "internal combustion" manufacturers out of business?
No, at least not any time soon. Recent advances in electric motor and battery designs and our patented solar shell allow us to offer a family friendly sports coupe at an affordable price. However, in extremely cold or inclement climates that see few sunny days, a hydrogen fuel cell would be a better choice. For heavy towing, primarily long distance or night driving and a variety of other situations- we will still be reliant upon older technology and unfortunately the fossil fuels they consume. However, as technology improves over time, we hope to see these specialized vehicles likewise turn towards solar, electric or non-polluting hydro designs that last longer and are far easier to maintain than traditional metal bodied, fossil fuel burning, internal combustion vehicles.