| With the entire world going green and turning | | | | electric motor of the bike off and give full control |
| attention to alternatively fueled vehicles, the | | | | to the rider. |
| search for practical solar vehicles continue to climb | | | | 3. Third on our list is a tandem of first and |
| in the public conscious. With hybrids slowly | | | | second-generation iterations of the same vehicle: |
| humming their way onto the roadways of the | | | | the Sunseeker and Sunseeker II. The Sunseeker, |
| world it's only a matter of time before their | | | | piloted by Eric Raymond in 1990, was the first |
| eco-powered relatives make a strong showing | | | | solar powered airplane to successfully streak the |
| and win over the population. | | | | gospel of solar power across the skies of the U.S. |
| Modes of transportation using solar panels have | | | | It made genius use of solar panels across its |
| caused quite a stir in recent years, and so you're | | | | entire wingspan to self-propel on take-off and also |
| in the know we'll list the top 5 solar vehicles | | | | utilized the natural patterns of wind to make its |
| soaking up the attention and using it to fuel them | | | | way from coast to coast. The Sunseeker II was |
| forward into the sunlight of the future. | | | | updated in 2006 with a more powerful and |
| 1. Coming in at first and eclipsing all other road | | | | efficient motor, larger wings, and updated controls |
| vehicles in scope, Louis Palmers Solar Taxi is a | | | | it became the first solar powered airplane to |
| zero emission beast powered by solar panels able | | | | cross the Alps. |
| to drive approximately 248 miles on a battery | | | | 4. Covering single person transport, you may |
| charge all while maintaining a top speed of 55 mph. | | | | think these are the only solar vehicles on the |
| What sets Mr. Palmers Solar Taxi apart from the | | | | market until you come across the Tindo solar |
| others is its application over the past few years. | | | | powered bus. Powered by solar photovoltaic |
| Ending in December of 2008, Louis and his team | | | | stations, this BP sponsored bus also offers its 42 |
| have used the Solar Taxi to drive almost 32,000 | | | | passengers free rides. At 100% no emissions and |
| miles around the world in 17 months with their | | | | free rides, it's highly obvious why this bus makes |
| end destination being the U.N. Climate Change | | | | our top 5. |
| Conference in Poznan, Poland. | | | | 5. Covering modes of transport on land and in the |
| 2. Up next is an original mode of transportation | | | | skies, our last entrance into the top 5 should be |
| pushed forward by repurposed photovoltaic | | | | obvious. With the sun constantly shining down on |
| technology, similar to ones used in home solar | | | | the waterways of our world the 5th spot is |
| panels. The Thera-P E-V Sunny Electric Bicycle | | | | occupied not by a single vehicle, but manufacturer |
| operates in three selectable modes: only pedal | | | | SolarLab that has turned out its extremely |
| powered, pedal assist, and completely electric. The | | | | efficient and easy on the eyes boat designs. With |
| subtle use of ingenuity in this vehicle comes with | | | | the Serpentine, Hamburg, and Constance Solar |
| it's ability to charge its battery while in use, | | | | Shuttles' photovoltaic cells acting as a canopy |
| allowing for continuous charge Weighing in at less | | | | over upwards of 100 passengers, the European |
| than 44 pounds and able to reach a top speed of | | | | water navigating vessels stand at the ready to |
| 18 mph, the E-V Sunny's safety measures include | | | | deliver its eco-friendly technologies to the high |
| puncture resistant tires and a brake system called | | | | seas as well as the ozone layer. |
| "Ride Safe" that can automatically power the | | | | |