Tesla boss Elon Musk said that Cybertruck could use solar panels as part of its function, but admitted that solar-powered electric trucks would be "more meaningful."

Tesla electric vans have been touted before-although Musk ruled out one in 2018, until Tesla ruled out other priorities such as Model Y, Roadster, Tesla Semi and at the time it was only called "Pick up".

The visionary entrepreneur once again sat down with the popular podcast anchor Joe Rogan and pondered the pros and cons of powering Tesla’s futuristic, angular tank-style vehicle, which is built only from the body Power from the solar panels.

Musk said that this is impossible unless it drives infrequently, because you can only drive less than 20 kilometers a day from the panel.

Musk said in a podcast released on Thursday night (US time): "You might cover the truck bed and put some solar cells inside so you can put it in the sun." But it doesn't stop there. , Musk said.

"There is about 1 kilowatt per square meter of solar energy, and you may get 20-25% efficiency... Assuming whether you are facing the sun.

"You add up all of these and say what you really get... If you can run ten miles a day, then you are very lucky," he said.

Unless there is some kind of foldable solar array on the roof... Musk said this is where the shape of the truck starts to become more meaningful.

"A van, because you have a large flat area, which is actually where solar energy starts to make more sense, because you can have a lot of areas.

"You can have a solar roof, and when it is still [the awning] will stretch out to provide shade for your area," Musk said.

"Then you triple your area and you have a large flat surface. Maybe you can start charging and drive 30 miles a day."

This is an interesting concept-it uses the Sion solar van that is being planned by the German start-up Sono Motors. It is estimated that the car can get a range of up to 34 kilometers from the sun every day, which goes a step further.

Musk pointed out that more than 30 miles (48 kilometers) is impossible-at least not at an affordable price, as The Driven pointed out before the University of New South Wales Solar Research Ned Ekins-Daukes in 2020.

Although the maximum theoretical efficiency of solar panels can reach about 40% (for example, the efficiency of the battery used in the high-tech solar-powered Airbus Zephyr aircraft is 35%), the cost of passenger cars is prohibitively high.

"In order to increase prices substantially... what you said is for practical purposes... at least ten times the cost," Musk said.

Even so, for those who like to camp, a solar-powered electric truck equipped with a standard 25% efficiency panel is certainly an attractive proposal, Logan pointed out.

Even Musk joked that for those who need to be involved in more extreme events.

"Even if the end of the world comes, you can still drive," he said.

Bridie Schmidt is the chief reporter of The Driven, a sister site of Renew Economy. Since 2018, she has been writing articles about electric vehicles and has a keen interest in the role of zero-emission transportation in sustainable development. She participated in podcasts, such as downloading the show with Marc Fennell and participating in numerous scientific events with Karl Kruszelnicki, and was the co-organizer of the Beihe Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model 3, which can be rented on evee.com.au.

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