In 2008, Louis Palmer, a Swiss teacher and adventurer, became the first person ever to drive a solar powered electric car traveling 32,000 miles around the world.
This project was known as the Solartaxi. It took him 534 days to complete his circumnavigation and spread his powerful message that renewable energies are reliable, affordable and ecologically responsible!
In 2010, he intends to take things even further. This time Louis Palmer is challenging the world to a race via the Zero Emissions Race.
The Zero Race around the globe in 80 days challenge offers a unique way for riders to test their electric powered vehicles’ ability. The race begins in Geneva, Switzerland taking riders through 20 countries with a total distance of 18,641 miles (30,000) with stops in around 150 major cities along the way.
One of the most distinctive entries would be the two-person Zerotracer, designed by a group of engineers from Winterthur, Switzerland.
The Zerotracer electric motorcycle is capable of ferrying its two passengers in a Kevlar shell. It has the ability to hit a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph), while achieving a maximum range of 350 km (217 miles) on a single charge.
The vehicle is based on a MonoTracer body but replaces that vehicle’s 4-cylinder in-line BMW K-engine with a battery-powered electric motor that provides 135 kW/183Hp to propel the Zerotracer from 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. Without passengers the vehicle weighs less than 80kg (176-lbs) and the 18 kWh, 400V battery pack can be fully charged in two hours, while a quick charge can charge the battery pack to 80 percent capacity in less than 30 minutes.
This Zerotracer is built based on a MonoTracer body, although the original 4-cylinder in-line BMW K-engine has been taken out only to be replaced with a battery-powered electric motor that provides 135 kW/183Hp to propel the Zerotracer from 0-100 km/h in a mere 4.5 seconds. The 18 kWh, 400V battery pack can achieve a full charged in just two hours, while a quick charge is able to juice up the battery pack to 80 percent capacity in under 30 minutes.
The inside of the shell is just as cool as the outside with a stereo system, bucket seats, heating system, and a 250-degree view through the plexiglass windshield.
[source: Zero Race, Zerotracer][wzslider height=”400″ lightbox=”true”]
