This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/jan/02/ford-solar-powered-concept-car

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ford to unveil solar-powered concept car Ford to unveil solar-powered concept car
(5 days later)
Ford plans to unveil at this month's International CES gadget show a solar-powered concept car that offers the same performance as a plug-in hybrid but without the need for a plug.Ford plans to unveil at this month's International CES gadget show a solar-powered concept car that offers the same performance as a plug-in hybrid but without the need for a plug.
The C-MAX Solar Energi Concept car uses a petrol engine combined with an innovation that acts like a magnifying glass to concentrate the sun's rays on the vehicle's roof-mounted solar panels. The car maker says the vehicle's estimated combined city-highway mileage will be 100 milesper gallon.The C-MAX Solar Energi Concept car uses a petrol engine combined with an innovation that acts like a magnifying glass to concentrate the sun's rays on the vehicle's roof-mounted solar panels. The car maker says the vehicle's estimated combined city-highway mileage will be 100 milesper gallon.
Ford says that by using solar power instead of an electric plug, a typical owner will reduce their annual greenhouse gas emissions by four metric tons.Ford says that by using solar power instead of an electric plug, a typical owner will reduce their annual greenhouse gas emissions by four metric tons.
The company sold some 85,000 hybrid or electric vehicles in 2013, including 6,300 units of its C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid.The company sold some 85,000 hybrid or electric vehicles in 2013, including 6,300 units of its C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid.
The sun-ray concentrator was developed at the Georgia Institute of Technology and uses a lens which concentrates light but can be made thinner than a conventional lens. A full day of sunshine is equivalent to a four-hour battery charge, or 8 kilowatts, Ford says. The sun-ray concentrator was developed at the Georgia Institute of Technology and uses a lens which concentrates light but can be made thinner than a conventional lens. A full day of sunshine is equivalent to a four-hour battery charge, or 8 kWh, Ford says.
On a full charge, it should have a range of 620 miles, the same as the C-MAX Energi. The concept car also comes with a plug-in port for standard electric charging.On a full charge, it should have a range of 620 miles, the same as the C-MAX Energi. The concept car also comes with a plug-in port for standard electric charging.
Ford says that 75% of all trips made by an average driver could be powered by the sun.Ford says that 75% of all trips made by an average driver could be powered by the sun.
After showing off the concept car at the convention in Las Vegas next week, Ford says that it will test the vehicle to determine if it is feasible for mass production.After showing off the concept car at the convention in Las Vegas next week, Ford says that it will test the vehicle to determine if it is feasible for mass production.
• This article was amended on 6 January 2014 to correct a reference to 8 kilowatts to 8 kWh.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.