CEO Elon Musk reveals solar electric van makes more sense than Tesla Cybertruck

Elon Musk says photo voltaic electrical van makes extra sense than CybertruckTesla boss Elon Musk says the Cybertruck might have photo voltaic panels as a part of its options, however admits {that a} photo voltaic electrical van would make “just a little extra sense”.

A Tesla electrical van has been touted earlier than – though in 2018 Musk dominated one out till Tesla acquired a number of different priorities out of the way in which, such because the Mannequin Y, the Roadster, the Tesla Semi and what was then identified solely as “the pickup“.

Sitting down as soon as once more with well-liked podcaster Joe Rogan, the visionary entrepreneur mused on the professionals and cons of powering Tesla’s futuristic, angular tank-style car with energy harvested solely from photo voltaic panels on its physique.

It’s not attainable, stated Musk, except it’s not pushed usually, since you would get lower than 20km vary per day from the panels.

“You probably put the quilt of the truck mattress, put some photo voltaic cells in there, so you may simply depart it out within the solar,” stated Musk within the podcast launched on Thursday evening (US time). However no more than that, says Musk.

“There’s about 1 kilowatt per sq. metre of photo voltaic power, you’re going to get perhaps 20-25% effectivity …. assuming you’re dealing with the solar or not.

“You add all these issues up and say what are you actually going to get…. in case you might do ten miles a day you’d be fortunate,” he stated.

Except there’s some sort of folding photo voltaic array on the roof …. which is the place the form of a van begins to make just a little extra sense, says Musk.

“A van, since you’ve acquired an enormous flat space, that’s really the place photo voltaic might begin to make just a little extra sense since you might have lots of space.

“You can have a roof that’s photo voltaic and when it’s stationary [the awning] goes out and gives shade and tripes your space,” Musk stated.

“You then triple your space and also you’ve acquired an enormous flat floor, perhaps you may begin having charging sufficient that you simply get 30 miles a day.”

It’s an fascinating idea – and one which takes the Sion photo voltaic van being deliberate by German start-up Sono Motors, which is estimated to reap as much as 34km vary per day from the solar, one step additional.

Musk famous that greater than 30 miles (48km) shouldn’t be actually attainable – a minimum of not at a worth that’s reasonably priced, as was beforehand famous by UNSW photo voltaic analysis Ned Ekins-Daukes as reported by The Pushed in 2020.

Whereas the utmost theoretical effectivity of photo voltaic panels tops out at round 40% (cells used on the high-tech photo voltaic Airbus Zephyr plane are 35% effectivity, for instance), the price for a passenger car is prohibitive.

“For an enormous worth improve… you’re speaking about for sensible functions …. ten instances the price a minimum of,” stated Musk.

Even so, a photo voltaic electrical van with customary 25% effectivity panels would definitely be a horny proposition for individuals who wish to go tenting, Rogan notes.

And even, Musk jokes, for these needing to in additional excessive occasions.

“Even when the apocalypse got here round you may nonetheless drive,” he stated.