Toronto, Ontario — In this weekly electric and autonomous vehicle report, DartSolar highlights an expanding solar roof technology intended to help charge electric vehicles; while General Motors announces plans to defund Cruise ‘robotaxi’ project.
Electric expansions
DartSolar has announced that it has invented an expanding solar roof rack intended to allow electric vehicles to gain between 16 kilometres and 32 kilometres of charge.
As noted by online reports, the company designed the roof rack so that it expands to 1,000 watts while the vehicle is parked and then contracts to 360 watts while driving.
The company further notes that the technology has a 10-year life expectancy and currently costs around $2,950 USD.
In a news release, DartSolar commented that the technology “connects to a compact rear-power unit that converts solar power into 120-volt alternating current. The solar roof rack uses lightweight, custom solar panels just an eighth of an inch thick. Repair parts can also be easily 3D-printed by any DIY enthusiast.”
The technology has been under development for three years. It is currently unclear whether the technology will be effective in areas with a consistent winter.
Cruising cut-backs
General Motors has revealed that it is defunding its Cruise ‘robotaxi’ project and is instead merging it into its internal assisted-driving technology team.
As a result, instead of self-driving taxis, the automaker plans to develop its Super Cruise initiative.
This system uses hands-free driving assistance that currently works on approximately 352,000 kilometres of pre-mapped highways in Canada and the United States.
This decision to defund Cruise comes from repeated issues with collisions involving the robotaxis. Notably, in July of 2024, following shutdowns in California, the automaker cited difficulties meeting necessary regulations with a vehicle that lacked driver controls, as well as needed costs.
The post EV/AV Report: DartSolar invents expanding solar roof for electric vehicles; while General Motors announces plans to defund Cruise ‘robotaxi’ project appeared first on Collision Repair Magazine.
