Dragonfly arrived
in Geneva to show everybody another way in
terms of alternative means of propulsion. What you're looking at is a
thermic/solar-powered electric vehicle that's here to address issues like
climate change and rising energy costs.
The philosophy behind it is somewhat connected to
the prehistoric dragonfly, which had a wingspan of 74 cm, yet over
time had to evolve into a smaller, quicker insect when confronted by oxygen
diminution. In other words, it became more "energy efficient."
The road-going Dragonfly, partly developed at the
Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology in Lausanne and Zurich, weighs just 560
kg and one hour of sunlight can provide it with 4 km of
solar autonomy. It also uses just 35 kg's worth of batteries thanks to
its efficient solar roof, which generates 300W per hour of sunshine.
The vehicle has a thermic autonomy of 1,000
km regardless of weather conditions - as the petrol-driven range
extender can recharge the batteries if need be.
The Dragonfly's built-in pollution-reducing
technologies can be fitted to any car thanks to the "Catecair"
fine-particle filter, which the company will start producing this year. By the
way, the car's exterior also adopts plant-based materials, and while it may not
be pretty, it might just give you something to think about.
