🚗 Car powered by the sun is soon coming to the US

A solar powered car is coming to the US at the beginning of next year (it will make its first runs from January 5th to 8th) at the influential CES tech industry event in Las Vegas. It’s quite cheap and roughly the same size as a golf car. It’s called Squad solar electric city car and is designed by the Dutch company Squad Mobility.

“We are seeing a tremendous interest from the USA, specifically for markets such as sharing platforms, gated communities, campuses, (seaside) resorts, tourism, company terrains, hotels & resorts, amusement parks, and inner-city services,” Squad Mobility co-founder Robert Hoevers said in a statement reported by Electrek.

The first model of the car made its debut in Europe this May and the company called it the “world’s first solar city car.” The car can fit two people and can be charged by the sun and battery. According to Electrek the car will be sold for $6.250 in the US. Besides being attractive to individuals living in urban areas, the company also believes it can be a potential competitor or complement to electric scooters and bike fleets.

“The SQUAD is optimized for sharing platforms,” the company said to Techgenyz when it first launched in Europe. “It is designed to withstand the wear and tear of heavy use. The small-sized two-seater is easy to access, operate and park.”

According to Techgenyz the car was sold for €6,250 in Europe and it can charge up to 19.2 miles via rooftop solar panels and 62 miles via its four battery packs. The fastest speed it reaches is 28 miles per hour and in the US it will be classified as “low-speed vehicles”.

There are some debates going on within the industry experts whether or not the car is “just a golf cart or actually a new and useful product”, Electrek explained. However, the company says it will fill a unique niche for people living in the city and looking to run errands without for example getting their groceries rained on or fighting for parking.

“Squad offers an affordable, secure, quick and sustainable solution for your daily mobility needs,” the website reads.

In many countries, drivers don’t need a license to drive this car because of its classification. The small car is only two meters long and has a storage area in the back that can be extended by folding the passenger seat. According to Electrek, the folded seat would fit a stroller or a golf bag.

Picture: Squad Mobility