Citroën is gearing up for an epic journey across Africa with four electric vehicles powered solely by custom-made solar panels. This ambitious trek, dubbed La Croisière Verte, aims to showcase the long-distance potential of compact, lightweight EVs. The expedition, set to cover 8,388 miles (13,500 km), will commence this October, marking the centennial anniversary of Citroën’s historical African expedition, reports Interesting Engineering.

The Solar-Powered Fleet

Each of the four Citroën AMI vehicles will carry 5,600 W of solar panels, designed to be installed along the road for static or stationary charging. These aren’t your average solar panels; they’ve been engineered specifically for this arduous journey. The panels use monocrystalline interdigitated back-contact technology from Singapore-based Maxeon, and PV module manufacturer Mito Solar developed a special PV system for the trip.

The cars themselves have been modified extensively. Larger batteries will replace the standard 6 kWh battery, extending the car’s range by 43.5 miles to 155.3 miles (70 km to 250 km). Drum motors have been added to the rear wheels, and the chassis has been doubled in height for extra ground clearance. These adjustments are crucial for navigating the diverse terrains of Africa.

The Journey Ahead

Beginning in Paris, the four vehicles will maintain a speed of 28 mph (45 km/h), averaging 124 miles (200 km) per day. They’ll cross to the African continent from Marseilles, starting their epic journey from Morocco to the very tip of Africa: Cape Town. This isn’t the first time such a feat has been attempted; the same Dutch team successfully drove across the continent in an electric Skoda using solar panels.

However, this journey isn’t about luxury. The drivers will likely sleep in rooftop tents, turning their cars into makeshift homes. The goal is to demonstrate that “it is possible to implement sustainability in everybody’s daily lives,” as the team stated to PV Magazine.

EVXL’s Take

This expedition is a testament to the incredible potential of electric vehicles and solar power. It shows that EVs aren’t just for city commutes; they can tackle some of the world’s toughest terrains. As we see more innovations like this, it’s clear that the future of transportation is electric.

The Citroën AMI’s journey aligns with recent developments in solar-powered EV charging. For instance, Tesla’s Gigafactory in Berlin has recently unveiled solar-powered Supercharger stalls, demonstrating the feasibility of using solar energy to charge EVs on a larger scale.

This integration of solar power and EV technology is not limited to car manufacturers. Shell has also entered the arena, unveiling the world’s largest EV charging station in China, complete with solar panels capable of generating 300,000 kilowatt-hours annually.

These developments, along with the Citroën AMI’s African expedition, highlight a growing trend towards sustainable, solar-powered transportation solutions. As EV technology continues to advance and solar integration becomes more widespread, we can expect to see more innovative projects pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in eco-friendly travel.

What are your thoughts on this ambitious journey? Leave your comments below!

Photo courtesy of La Croisière Verte.