INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
No one quite knows what the future holds
In light of the coronavirus outbreak, climate change, and fears about stock market plunges and economic downturns, there are serious
questions about the power grid, whether gas prices can remain stable, and the global economy.I happen to think many of these claims are
breathing fresh air and opening up their windows
Markets tend to stabilize over time, even if the current dips seem shocking and unpredictable.(Image credit: Fisker)In terms of automotive
While the threats are real and should be taken seriously, there is also a view that innovative new technologies can at least help mitigate
against what is happening in global economies and with fuel prices.One recent example of this is the upcoming Fisker Ocean all-electric
luxury sport-utility vehicle
you can pack in the entire family.(Image credit: Fisker)What impressed me most about the vehicle has to do with the roof
Fisker recently announced that the solar roof is capable of generating about 1,000 extra miles per year, all without having to connect to
any power source other than the sun
from the front all the way to the back (instead of only a small section for solar cells)
And, it directly provides power to the electric motor
perhaps 10-15 miles per charge
(This depends on how often you charge, how you drive, and the total range you obtain from the battery.)I can only imagine how this might
now video footage that shows the car on the open road.My eyes caught a glimpse of the solar roof as well, which is optional on the Ocean
(how much it adds to the cost is not clear)
As you drive, the solar panels collect energy that is relayed to the battery.(Image credit: Fisker)Modern cars have been dependent on fossil
With solar, the energy collection is slow, but at least there is some carbon offset
When you collect energy from the solar roof, there is a more 'pure' transfer of power, not just an offset in how the power is collected and
John Brandon, a journalist who's been writing about cars for 12 years, puts a new car and its cutting-edge tech through the paces every
