Squad Mobility will reportedly launch its solar electric city car in the US amidst growing interest.
Dutch startup company Squad Mobility was founded by Robert Hoevers and Chris Klok, who are two former employees of Lightyear, a competitor in the EV industry. The company first launched the Squad solar electric car for €6,250 in Europe earlier this year.
Squad Mobility confirmed that the solar city car is coming to the US for $6,250 and will debut at CES in Las Vegas, according to Electrek. The upcoming vehicle, which the company calls the "world's first solar city car," will be classified as an LSV (low-speed vehicle) in the US.
What To Expect for Squad Mobility's Solar Electric Car in the US
The electric vehicle with two seats is small and resembles a golf cart. The vehicle has been designed to be more efficient and lightweight. Small wheels on the automobile's mounting prevent it from supporting greater weight; instead, it allows the solar frame to ride on the car to catch the sun's rays.
The solar-powered car typically drives an average of 12 kilometers a day. Its solar panel can function in any environment, even under a shaded parking spot. The car runs on electric motors and batteries so it can operate during the night, during the winter season, or even indoors, as its portable batteries can be immediately charged from a regular power outlet when more range is required.
Tech Genyz reports that on a hot day, the automobile can travel up to 31 km or 19.2 miles even with its relatively small solar panel. Additionally, the car has a small trunk, a foldable passenger seat, and surprising utility for its size, including room for a laptop on the dashboard.
Co-founder Robert Hoevers doubled down on the announcement by revealing that the company has found a potential market in the US.
"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." the Squad Mobility co-founder shared.
Squad Solar Electric City Car Benefits to Community
Squad Mobility's electric cars can also serve as a private and public usage option for reducing urban pollutants and congestion. The longer-term goal, though, is for fleets of Squad cars to be able to rapidly and easily service passenger demand, according to Squad Mobility's official site.
Aside from its convenience, Auto Features reports Squad vehicles could even challenge the conventional notion when it comes to urban mobility, as they utilize less energy per person and per kilometer than even public transportation.
However, there will still be separate benefits to mass transit, just as there will be benefits to Squad cars over other small urban vehicles. While it is evident that the world is not currently ready for cars to run entirely on solar power, Squad Mobility and other companies in the EV industry are establishing the market for this technology in the future.
