70 Years Ago, the First Solar Car Came to Life

On August 31, 1955, an American engineer presented to the public the very first car powered by solar energy.

Exactly 7 decades ago, the story of the car opened up to a new dimension thanks to a solar… model. At the Powerama show organized by General Motors in Chicago, engineer William G. Cobb unveiled an invention that would leave a mark: the Sunmobile, a miniature prototype capable of moving solely on solar energy.

The car, while small at about forty centimeters long, was far from a production model. However, its principle was revolutionary. Its roof was covered with 12 photovoltaic cells which, by capturing light, powered a tiny electric motor. For the first time, a motor vehicle proved that it could move without gasoline or a conventional battery, solely relying on a renewable energy source.

The car can go without gasoline

At that time, the Sunmobile obviously could not compete with the roaring V8s that dominated American roads. It was rather viewed as a technological curiosity, almost a gadget designed to attract public attention. Yet, in hindsight, this presentation appears as a founding act. It raised a visionary question: what if the future of mobility depended on the sun?

Seventy years later, the idea still inspires. International competitions like the World Solar Challenge in Australia feature ultra-light prototypes capable of traveling thousands of kilometers solely using their solar panels. Several start-ups are exploring the path of consumer solar cars, even though technical and cost constraints remain strong.

In 1955, William Cobb could not have imagined how much his demonstration would inspire engineers and researchers. The Sunmobile remains a symbol: that of a mobility capable of freeing itself from oil and exploring new energies.

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Innovation

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This August 31 serves as a reminder that even before the rise of electric or hydrogen vehicles, a small solar toy was already showing the way to a more sustainable future.

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