Jun 24 - Hyundai 2020 Family Car Is Powered by Water and Sunlight

MIT has recently developed technology that could soon end up in cars that could recharge in seconds. But for some designers, quick recharging isn’t the only way electric cars could be promoted. Designers like Nicolas Stone believe solar energy is the future and car manufacturers should sooner or later venture in designs that generate their own fuel with on-board systems.



Thus, Stone has come up with a new family car designed for Hyundai dubbed the Hyundai 2020. The small car is aimed at a small family of four. Inspired by plants, the car generates fuel for itself using nothing more than sunlight and water, the two fuels for plants to carry out their natural processes.



The transparent solar cells that the car is equipped with generate electricity from ambient light, which is afterwards used to carry out electrolysis of water finally generating hydrogen, which fuels the car. The only by-product of the car engine will be clean potable water and breathable oxygen. Utilizing a new energy model, the vehicle uses the electricity to stimulate a central water tank, splitting the water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen gets stored in special reserve tanks, while the oxygen gets expelled into the air as exhaust. So, no emissions, since this cute little car functions exactly like a plant, being powered by an artificial system of photosynthesis.

The sleek, mono-volume design allows for optimal interior space and utility. Special design features also include layered body panels, unique headlight/side mirror units, and offset seating to allow elbow room for all occupants.


The overall design of the car looks pleasing and the technology used by Nicholas ensures a pleasant ride. However, splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen and then storing hydrogen in an on-board tank seems a complicated and risky mechanism, not to mention the cost of incorporating this technology in a small car. But since this is just a concept for now, we have to wait and see what happens next.


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Originally Posted by Sheeed

if they can get 500bhp fom solar im all for it

Originally Posted by stogz

I'm just gonna voice my dislike for cars that run on water. Um, I may be wrong.. feel free to correct me.


but...


I don't want to waste water on my car because, humans need water to live. They already talkin' about water shortages and droughts all over the world... can't they find something else for cars to run on? Sand perhaps? Liquefied insects. You know... some sh*t we don't need for the purpose of surviving

Originally Posted by stogz

I'm just gonna voice my dislike for cars that run on water. Um, I may be wrong.. feel free to correct me.


but...


I don't want to waste water on my car because, humans need water to live. They already talkin' about water shortages and droughts all over the world... can't they find something else for cars to run on? Sand perhaps? Liquefied insects. You know... some sh*t we don't need for the purpose of surviving

Originally Posted by ghost8

There talking about a fresh water(ie drinking water) shortage, not water shortage. 70% of the Earth is covered in water and 98% of it is undrinkable.

I would def get this car though