Ford C-Max Solar Energi Concept Car Coming To CES 2014 (VIDEO)
Let the Sun In: Ford C-MAX Solar Energi Concept Goes Off-the-Grid, Gives Glimpse of Clean Vehicle Future
- Ford C-MAX Solar Energi Concept is first-of-its-kind sun-powered concept vehicle with the potential to deliver the best of a plug-in hybrid without depending on the electric grid for fuel
- C-MAX Solar Energi Concept with a solar panel roof draws power from a special solar concentrator lens similar in concept to a magnifying glass
- By using renewable power, the C-MAX Solar Energi Concept is estimated to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions from a typical owner by four metric tons
- C-MAX Solar Energi Concept, which will be on display at 2014 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Jan 7-10, 2014, debuts as Ford’s strong line-up of electrified vehicles are on pace to hit a record of more than 85,000 sales in 2013
DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 2, 2014 – Ford Motor Company announced today the C-MAX Solar Energi Concept, a first-of-its-kind sun-powered vehicle with the potential to deliver the best of what a plug-in hybrid offers – without depending on the electric grid for fuel.
Instead of powering its battery from an electrical outlet, C-MAX Solar Energi Concept harnesses the power of the sun by using a special concentrator that acts like a magnifying glass, directing intense rays to solar panels on the vehicle’s roof.
The result is a concept vehicle that takes a day’s worth of sunlight to deliver the same performance as the conventional C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, which draws its power from the electrical grid. The C-MAX Energi gets a combined best MPGe in its class, with EPA-estimated 108 city/92 highway/100 combined MPGe. By using renewable power, the C-MAX Solar Energi Concept is estimated to reduce the annual greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from a typical owner by four metric tons.
“The C-MAX Solar Energi Concept shines a new light on electric transportation and renewable energy,” said Mike Tinskey, Ford global director of vehicle electrification and vehicle infrastructure. “As an innovation leader, we want to further the public dialog about the art of the possible in moving the world toward a cleaner future.”
The C-MAX Solar Energi Concept, which will be shown at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, is a collaborative project of Ford, San Jose, Calif.-based SunPower Corp. and Atlanta-based Georgia Institute of Technology.
Strong sales
The C-MAX Solar Energi Concept debuts as Ford caps a record year of electrified vehicles sales. Ford expects to sell a record-setting 85,000 hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles in 2013 in its first full year that Ford’s six new electrified vehicles were available in dealer showrooms.
The C-MAX Energi is Ford’s plug-in sales leader, with sales of more than 6,300 through November. Ford sold more plug-in vehicles in October and November than both Toyota and Tesla, and out-sold Toyota through the first 11 months of 2013. Plug-in hybrids continue to grow in sales as more customers discover the benefits of using electricity to extend their driving range.
C-MAX Hybrid sales over the last year has been a key driver in helping Ford sell more hybrids than any other automaker in the U.S, second only to Toyota. The C-MAX continues to bring new customers to the Ford brand with a conquest rate of 64 percent and drawing nearly half of its sales from imports. Conquest rates are even higher in key hybrid growth markets like San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
Breakthrough clean technology
SunPower, which has been Ford’s solar technology partner since 2011, is providing high efficiency solar cells for the roof of the C-MAX Solar Energi. Because of the extended time it takes to absorb enough energy to fully charge the vehicle, Ford turned to the Georgia Institute of Technology for a way to amplify the sunlight in order to make a solar-powered hybrid feasible for daily use.
Researchers developed an off-vehicle solar concentrator that uses a special Fresnel lens to direct sunlight to the solar cells while boosting the impact of the sunlight by a factor of eight. Similar in concept to a magnifying glass, the patent-pending system tracks the sun as it moves from east to west, drawing enough power from the sun through the concentrator each day to equal a four-hour battery charge (8 kWh).
With a full charge, the C-MAX Solar Energi Concept is estimated to have the same total range as a conventional C-MAX Energi of up to 620 miles, including up to 21 electric-only miles. Additionally, the C-MAX Solar Energi Concept still has a chargeport and can be charged by connecting to a charging station via cord and plug so that drivers may still have the option to power up via the grid, if desired.
After C-MAX Solar Energi Concept is shown at CES, Ford and Georgia Tech will begin testing the vehicle in numerous real-world scenarios. The outcome of those tests will be used at a later date to help determine if the concept is feasible as a production car.
Off-the-grid car
By tapping renewable solar energy with a rooftop solar power system, C-MAX Solar Energi Concept is not dependent on the traditional electric grid for its battery power. Internal Ford data suggests the sun could power up to 75 percent of all trips made by an average driver in a solar hybrid vehicle. This could be especially important in places where the electric grid is underdeveloped, unreliable and expensive.
The vehicle also reinforces MyEnergi Lifestyle, a concept revealed by Ford and several partners at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show. MyEnergi Lifestyle uses math, science and computer modeling to help consumers understand how homeowners can take advantage of energy efficient home appliances, solar power systems and plug-in hybrid vehicles to significantly reduce monthly expenses while reducing their families’ overall carbon footprint.
The positive environmental impact from the C-MAX Solar Energi could be significant. It would reduce the yearly emissions of CO2 and other GHGs from the average U.S. car owner by as much as four metric tons — the equivalent of what a U.S. house produces in four months.
If all light duty vehicles in the U.S. were to adopt the CMAX Solar Energi Concept technology, GHGs could be reduced by approximately 1 billion metric tons per year.
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