Melbourne-based company EVX Ventures is entering the electric automobile market with an aerodynamic sports car that can drive all day using power from the sun. Called The Immortus, the sleek two-seater has an unlimited traveling range thanks to 75 square feet of solar photovoltaic paneling on its exterior. This means you wouldn't have to stop and recharge over long distances, easing the fear of running out of power.
The Immortus uses technology that came from a project originally funded by Australia's Aurora Solar Car Team. Their photovoltaic innovations means that the vehicle only needs a small 10 kWh lithium-ion battery to power its twin motors, and it's also what gives the car its infinite-range capabilities–as long as your average speed is about 37 miles per hour. If you increase your speed to 53 miles per hour, the company estimates your total driving range will be about 342 miles. And on non-sunny days or at night, the distance is 248 miles.
The company has a clear idea of where they fit into the market. “We're not trying to be a Tesla,” says Barry Nguyen, CEO and co-founder of EVX Ventures. “Tesla is a mass manufacturer of cars, we're designers of boutique custom electric cars and aftermarket products.” He goes on to explain, “There's regulations in the US and Australia that allow for individually constructed vehicles. Essentially what that means is that if you contract a custom car builder with the designs and components, you can build a road legal car without the crash testing and the 5-10 million dollars you'd have to raise to do that. We plan to sell those cars in low volume.”
EVX hasn't announced when The Immortus will be on the market, but when that happens, they expect to sell only about a 100 units. The projected price tag is currently $370,000.
