Many of the technologies we come across everyday seem to be either perfect or nearing perfection. However, there is always scope for improvement and this is what the Dutch startup Lightyear follows. The company manufactures a car that comes equipped with a solar panel that helps generate electricity and improve the vehicle’s range. While the solar panel itself is not a new innovation, the company has announced of notably improving the aerodynamics of its car.
What a drag!
The term drag in the automobile sector is used to denote air resistance of a vehicle. Whenever a vehicle moves forward, it has to push air away and this creates some resistance or drag. This drag not only slows down the car but it also makes it’s engine work harder and use more fuel to propel it forward. In simple terms, a better-designed car has a lower drag coefficient and it is more efficient in saving fuel. Achieving a low aerodynamic coefficient drag is not easy, especially when you have a solar panel attached to your car.