Ford unveiled its new solar powered Ford C-Max at the 2014 CES (Consumer Electrics Show) in Las Vegas. This vehicle is based on the already popular Ford C-Max Energi which is currently only available in the USA. The CES show was at the end of January 2014.
The C-Max Energi is a plug in hybrid with an electric motor and a petrol engine. The C-Max Solar Energi concept car is fitted with a bespoke solar panel on the roof which can be seen in the image below.
Ford has claimed that the “C-Max Solar Energi has the potential to deliver the best of a plug in hybrid without depending on the electric grid for fuel”.
As this new technology uses the power harnessed by the sun to power the vehicle, it makes for a very fuel efficient car. Ford claim that this new hybrid car will offer around 120mpg and up to 620 miles powered by a days worth of sunlight. This is about the same economy offered by the C-Max Energi but without having to plug the vehicle in. There is still the option of plugging the car in, to charge the battery.
This concept car is the result of a combined work between Ford and Georgia Tech, with testing expected soon to see if it is worth making this vehicle into a production car.
According to Ford, the C-Max Solar Energi uses autonomous technology comprising of the auto park function already available on the current C-Max.
Have a look at the video below to see the Ford C-Max Solar Energi concept car at the 2014 CES:
