Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read more about Phoenix? Yes, you can contact us in person and ask any questions, or contact the article rewriting service, where you will conduct research on your proposed topic.
Is it a real car? Yes, the car is registered through the Oregon DMV and has a license plate, a VIN number, and even head lights.
How fast does the Phoenix go? The theoretical top speed is projected to be 85 mi/h (135 km/h). However, as law-abiding citizens, we drive the car at the highway max speed limit of 65 mi/h (100 km/h).
How fast do you drive during races? 30 to 45 mi/h (50 to 70 km/h) is typically the most sustainable speed for us.
Can you drive at night? Yes, as long as the batteries are charged! Since we receive no power from the solar array, our projected range is about 200 miles on a full charge.
What sort of batteries do you currently use? We use lithium iron nanophosphate batteries provided by A123 Systems.
What type of solar cells do you use, and how efficient are they? The solar cells are monocrystalline silicon solar cells from SunPower and are 22.5% efficient.
What material is the chassis of the car made out of? The entire chassis and most of the suspension are made from grade 9 titanium donated by ATI in Albany, OR.
What material is the body of the car made out of? The body is made of pre-impregnated carbon fiber, Nomex honeycomb, fiberglass, and Kevlar.
Is the car safe to drive?
Yes, the is able to withstand a 5G impact from either side, and it can go over a 2G bump.
What is it like driving a solar car (Phoenix)?
How fast does the Phoenix go? The theoretical top speed is projected to be 85 mi/h (135 km/h). However, as law-abiding citizens, we drive the car at the highway max speed limit of 65 mi/h (100 km/h).
How fast do you drive during races? 30 to 45 mi/h (50 to 70 km/h) is typically the most sustainable speed for us.
Can you drive at night? Yes, as long as the batteries are charged! Since we receive no power from the solar array, our projected range is about 200 miles on a full charge.
What sort of batteries do you currently use? We use lithium iron nanophosphate batteries provided by A123 Systems.
What type of solar cells do you use, and how efficient are they? The solar cells are monocrystalline silicon solar cells from SunPower and are 22.5% efficient.
What material is the chassis of the car made out of? The entire chassis and most of the suspension are made from grade 9 titanium donated by ATI in Albany, OR.
What material is the body of the car made out of? The body is made of pre-impregnated carbon fiber, Nomex honeycomb, fiberglass, and Kevlar.
Is the car safe to drive?
Yes, the is able to withstand a 5G impact from either side, and it can go over a 2G bump.
What is it like driving a solar car (Phoenix)?
- Hai-Yue (co-founder): Wow! This is like driving a rocket! Holy Moly, this thing is awesome!
- Jake (2012 ASC Driver): I thought that it was very cool to be driving 40 mph and using only the energy from the sun. That is real, applicable sustainability. The car handles exactly like a regular car, and makes sense if you are commuting because it will recharge all day while you work.
- Mat (2012 ASC Driver): Driving the Phoenix was an incredible experience. The team worked incredibly hard to compete in 2010 with the Odyssey, but when we had problems in 2010 and couldn’t race, the team felt crushed. Racing the Phoenix in the 2012 American Solar Challenge was the highlight of my college experience. Driving on Interstate 90 as the sun was coming out after a rain storm was quite the experience. I was thinking to myself how incredible it was to not only drive behind the wheel of a car I helped to build but to also know that it was only powered by the sun.
- John (2015 ADSC Driver): The experience is entirely thrilling. 45 mi/h feels a lot faster when you're only a few inches above the ground. You also feel like a celebrity when all the passing cars pull beside you to take pictures, which is pretty cool!
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