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Vacuum-Cleaner King James Dyson Plans Solar-Powered Car
James Dyson has made quite a name for himself with his bagless vacuum cleaners. Now, the inventor is spending some of his $1.5 billion fortune working on a gasless car -- specifically, one that runs completely on solar power.
His engineers in England are developing a lightweight electric motor that, according to Dyson, could power a family vehicle for hundreds of miles. The battery would be charged by solar panels mounted on the vehicle's roof, and/or on the roof of a garage where the car is stored. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the motor is actually based on those used in the company's vacuum cleaners and hand dryers.
Dyson believes that electric cars will outnumber gas-guzzlers within a decade.
"Electric cars are [currently] seen as city cars and to go 30 mph is quite enough, but in the future that will change," said Dyson. An electric motor can go to very high speeds."
Of course, as anyone who has actually been to the land of tea and crumpets has already surmised, there will be concerns over whether Britain is actually sunny enough for solar power to work. Global warming, perhaps? [Source: Daily Mail]
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Comments
123
Subscribe to commentsGalleyJun 24th 2008 1:13PM
There is really no reason why we can't all be driving electric cars within a decade. Battery power should be good enough to cover pretty much anyone's commute.
JustinJun 25th 2008 6:19AM
Ummm In Central PA, where I live most everybody has a 30+ mile commute. One charge would not be suffecient. Or how about the people who drive 7 miles in 2 hours (LA, DC, Hampton Roads) Thats not good for them either.
BobJun 25th 2008 8:09AM
I drove a solar charged electric to 50-mph in the Keys in the 1980's. I put a high speed golf cart motor into the car that was designed to be use by post office delivery folks. I covered the roof rear and front with 20-amps of PV photovoltaics. Use it for three years, drove it in Tallahasse during Earth Day. Went to work, went fishing with rods strapped to passenger side of car and it was a two seater. I plugged it in like a golf cart each night. Sure I didn't drive it on long trips like on highways with 65-70 mph speedlimits.
But it worked great for general shoppings and going to office, etc.
Now today in 2008 watch for great new, lighter weight batteries and vhoom!
KenJun 25th 2008 11:31AM
Everyone driving electric cars... get real, you obviously haven't lived or visited many states have you.
PaulaJun 25th 2008 11:58AM
What about all the millions of people driving old beat-up gas guzzlers because they can't afford another vehicle? Much less a brand new one? It's easy to say "we can all" do this or that, but the fact remains there are many, many people that are barely getting by with what they have now and simply can't afford to make a change, good or bad.
mosesJun 25th 2008 8:04PM
yeah i cant wait for the mountains and i mean mountains of batteries to enter the land fields most of the pollution and fuel consumption is caused by structures how about we fix that first not to mention its an easier task with the new solar inks that cost 1/10 of the price getting ready to hit the market in 2 yrs.
BazorkJun 25th 2008 6:22AM
I think he'll make another billion. Nobody ever told him it was impossible or that he needed government funding.
babycakesJun 25th 2008 6:27AM
This is a very smart man. I'm confident he will come up with something good!!
westernmdcplJun 25th 2008 6:25AM
Ted Kennedy would veto these cars from running on Cape Cod near his home because it would distract from the scenery of his home. He is a big environmentalist except when if comes to him and near his home.
GregJun 25th 2008 12:01PM
Just gotta get in a political jibe, regardless how nonsensical it is. You don't like the idea of electric cars? What about one that could go 100 plus mph for 100 miles? Or, maybe you just don't like anything new?
tbie2Jun 25th 2008 10:34AM
You have to be kidding.This is not up for a vote in mass.This is the future and everybody will embrace it
BettyJun 25th 2008 6:38AM
We need more people like this working on eliminating the use of oil completely. Our government and special interests sure aren't going to help us out. The best bet is to quit using oil all together for fuel.
SteveJun 25th 2008 6:49AM
Actually, with current battery technology, we already have electric cars that can go 120 miles at up to 80 MPH (not counting the Tesla, which can go faster) and the charge can last up to 4 hours of continues driving.
James Dyson is no crackpot - he's a legitimate inventor. We need more like him working on electric car technology instead of "free energy" wackos who are either deluded or out to make a buck with their scams.
PaulJun 25th 2008 6:53AM
I am glad he's moving on. His last product sucked. LOL If anyone can do it he can.
AlexJun 25th 2008 5:57PM
you mean $5/ gal. gas... ( I live in so-cal)
goodcoin.weebly.comJun 25th 2008 7:17AM
Wish I had his smarts. Hope he pulls it off.We need good alternatives to $4/gal
garyrjasJun 25th 2008 7:27AM
One charge will be able to get you about 200 miles, the technology is already there. Tesla motors is already doing it now. Dyson will probably make a great car, maybe it will clean itself also.
KarenJun 25th 2008 7:01PM
Yes, but Telsa's car is running ~$100K. Cool technology, but what we need is something affordable for it to be meaningful.
EileenJun 25th 2008 10:31PM
Heyyyyyyyy.......I love that idea, with three kids the car it would automatically suck up the french fry the moment it hits the floor.....I'm sold on that alone!!!
As far as the solar part....in Michigan, in February......hmmmm...not much sun.......I wonder how employers would feel when people started calling in because it was an overcast day.......
hazegreysteamerJun 25th 2008 7:29AM
We as a people have been to long dependent on fossil fuels, with the world in the condiction it in, it is time to look more to the future for us and our children and grandchildren. We all need to step up and do something. Solar/sun is there use it.