The founders of 4x4 Electrics from the Netherlands recently visited the Young Africans Centre in Otjiwarongo to introduce their innovative concept for environmentally friendly transportation: a solar-powered vehicle.

Making its debut in Namibia, the solar vehicle represents a pioneering addition to the transportation landscape. 

This electric-powered vehicle harnesses the power of self-contained solar cells, allowing it to operate solely on sunlight.

One key feature of these vehicles is the presence of a rechargeable battery system, which serves to regulate and store energy from both the solar cells and regenerative braking.

Maarten van Pel and Renske Cox, the creators of the solar vehicle, highlighted that the ability to charge the battery directly using sunlight offers a solution to the inconvenience of having to rely on plug-in charging infrastructure.

On occasions when sunlight is insufficient, the creators explain that the solar vehicle can be supplemented with power from an external source by plugging it into the grid.

In addition to its solar-powered functionality, the solar car also features a refrigerator and a shower tap, providing users with the convenience of refreshing themselves during camping trips.

Young Africa, situated in Otjiwarongo, serves as a technical vocational training centre and a non-governmental organisation focused on providing vocational training in solar technology.

Both trainees and trainers expressed their excitement at witnessing a fully solar-driven vehicle, highlighting the significance of this innovation in the field.

However, a current limitation of the solar vehicle is the lack of provisions for on-the-road charging.

As a result, users will need to find a suitable location to pull over and charge the vehicle's battery.

The creators acknowledge this drawback, indicating that a full recharge can take up to 30 hours, necessitating advanced planning for extended journeys.