Design of the Body and Structure for a Practical and Highly Efficient Solar-Electric Sports Car

The design of the exterior body shape and structure of a solar-electric sports car which competed in the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC) Cruiser Class is explored. A low-drag and low-lift aerodynamic shape with a coefficient of lift near zero and drag area of 0.16 m2 is developed as a primary focus around the constraints of a solar array, occupant space, and aesthetics. The maximally sized 5 m2 rearward tilted solar array capable of generating an expected event average power of 885 W influences the size and shape of the roof. The space for which two occupants are seated in the vehicle is developed to achieve a reclined occupant position that minimizes the vehicle frontal area. A carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and foam composite sandwich monocoque make up the structure of the vehicle at a mass of 59.53 kg. Factors of practicality and their compromises are also explored.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.4271/2022-01-5038
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/01487191
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of SAE International.
• Authors:
  • McGregor, Duncan
  • Samsons, Andris
  • Millar, Matthew
  • Pudney, Peter
  • Curlis, Simon
  • Watkins, Simon
• Conference:
  • Automotive Technical Papers
  • Location: Warrendale Pennsylvania
  • Date: 2022-1-1
• Publication Date: 2022-5-13

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Serial:
  • SAE Technical Paper
  • Publisher: Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
  • ISSN: 0148-7191
  • EISSN: 2688-3627
  • Serial URL: http://papers.sae.org/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamics; Composite materials; Design methods; Drag; Electric vehicles; Polymers; Race cars; Solar energy; Vehicle bodies; Vehicle design
• Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01847730
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: SAE International
• Report/Paper Numbers: 2022-01-5038
• Files: TRIS, SAE
• Created Date: May 31 2022 3:53PM