Zoomi Life

The Phylla electric car is solar-powered and capable of going 80mph. The concept prototype was driven by some VIP guests at the Turin Environmental Park recently. It’s a “2+2” seater, which means it can seat two or four people, depending on how much luggage space you’d like.

The Phylla is very small and has two unfortunate aspects to it:

1. Its looks, which are very Hello Kitty plastic toy.
2. Its name, which makes it sound, well, phallic.

The prototype at least proves a couple of important things: solar powered vehicles are at least possible and at speeds that are realistic for today’s driving. Here’s some specs on this one:

• Weight: 750kg (with 150kg battery weight)
• Range: 145km on li-ion or 220km on li-polymer
• Speed: 0-50km/h in 6 seconds, 130km/h maximum
• Frame: Split-frame, aluminum chassis
• Capacity: 2 persons, 584 litre luggage or 4 persons, 142 litres luggage
• Power source: plug-in or solar

While the car probably can’t power itself all day, every day purely on solar, it can do a good job of it. It’s a realistic prototype that could be a good urban commuter. Questions exist as to whether it would pass safety tests and be road and freeway worthy in many countries, however.

Source: TreeHugger