The Venturi Astrolab was an early-2000s concept battery electric car with adjunct energy provided from solar panels mounted to the vehicle. It was unveiled at the Mondial de l’Automobile in 2006.[1]
The original Venturi Astrolab uses a 16 kW (21 hp; 22 PS) electric motor in place of the internal combustion engine fitted to most cars. This electric motor also had a claimed maximum torque output of 36.8 lb⋅ft (5 kg⋅m; 50 N⋅m),[2] delivered instantly. The top speed of the Venturi Astrolab 74.5 mph (120 km/h).[3]
With its bodywork composed of 3.6 m2 (39 sq ft) of high efficiency (21%) solar cells,[3] the Astrolab was aiming for a concept of zero emission vehicle; it was unveiled at the Mondial de l’Automobile in 2006. The builder claimed that the average daily intake of the solar cells would enable a range of 11 mi (18 km).[4] If greater range is required,[4] the onboard batteries extend this to 62 mi (100 km).[2]
