This solar-powered electric car by an IVE team makes helping the planet look so cool
Sophie VI, built by a team at the Institute of Vocational Education, hit the city’s roads for the first time on Sunday
Sophie VI's road test showed off the sleek new design.Forget petrol- and electric-powered cars – Hong Kong students are coming up with solar-powered versions instead. The newest edition of the Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle (Sophie) project, Sophie VI, will be presented to the public at the Hong Kong Science Museum today. It hit the city’s roads for the first time on Sunday.
Sophie VI was built by a team at the Institute of Vocational Education (IVE).
The project hopes to get students interested in an engineering career, while promoting the idea of green transport at the same time.
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to play a series of interactive games with the materials and parts that were used to build the car.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, Michelle Li, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, hoped that the exhibition will stimulate the interest of young people in innovation and technology, and inspire them to take up a career in the industry, helping to develop Hong Kong as a smart city.
Sophie VI, which was driven from IVE’s campus in Tsing Yi to the museum in Tsim Sha Tsui on Sunday, is the sixth version of the solar-powered electric car.
The team, which is made up of teachers and students, used their knowledge and skills to upgrade the car, making it better than the five previous models. Sophie VI’s suspension system is made of magnesium alloy, which makes it look more streamlined. The car is also 25 per cent lighter than it used to be, and its wind resistance is lower. Sophie VI’s tyres are more fuel efficient, which means it uses less electricity.
An older version of the car, Sophie IV, will be on display at the exhibition, “Sophie – IVE’s Solar Cars Driving the Future”, which will run until September 12 at the Hong Kong Science Museum.
Edited by Ginny Wong