| PowerCore SunCruiser | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Type | Small car |
| Model years | 2013 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Electric motor: 2.5 kW |
The PowerCore SunCruiser is a solar-powered road vehicle. It was created at the Bochum University of Applied Sciences to compete at the World Solar Challenge in 2013. The PowerCore SunCruiser is the fifth vehicle built by the University of Bochum and categorized as an EC vehicle class L7e, which includes full road approval.[clarification needed] The car was presented to the public on 25 July 2013. It offers space for three persons, can reach a top speed of over 100 km/h, and is driven by two wheel-hub motors in the back wheels. Its maximum power is 8.5 kW. The vehicle's empty weight is around 340 kg, of which the batteries take around 63 kg.
The range on a fully charged battery in the absence of sunlight is 700 km when driven at a uniform speed of 65 km/h. Its multi-layer solar cells operate at 29.7% efficiency. The performance of the 3 square meter solar cells on the roof is 833 W.