SolarQuestTM 98	Tour de Sol Adventure Quest

I-NetNews Reports
May 14

JASON ROSS, SHEFFIELD, MASS

Jason is one of four drivers of the e-2, an odd looking craft that fits into the bike category. This is Jason's fourth year in the Tour de Sol. He took up interest in solar/electric powered vehicles four years ago in a class and has pursued it since.

The car although it really isn't a car is composed of a three wheeled bike frame, and a 1500 r.p.m. electric motor that is powered by a battery, solar cells, and a hydrogen fuel cell. Hydrogen fuel cell? It isn't as bad as it sounds, in fact the only emission it has is water. Pure H2O.

We all know how great a bike is for the environment and for your health, but the speed has always been an issue. You can't go fast without a huge body energy expenditure. But a bike with a motor! And not any motor, a 1500 rpm electric motor. The future looks bright!

Ed

The Ovonic Battery Co. plays a big role in the Tour de Sol competition. Their company is a division of the Energy Conversion Device Co. They make photovoltaics and ptical memory DVD discs. This company started in 1960 by Stan Ovshinski. In 1993 Ovonics received a $25 million grant from U.S. Advanced Battery Consordium in agreement for them to up scale consumer cells into batteries. Ovonics has a joint venture with General Motors called GM Ovonics which will commercialize and mass produce the batteries. Ovonic Batteries are currently used in GM Chevrolet S10 electric pick up trucks. YEAH! Shortly nickle metal hydride EV1 will go on sale. These batteries are also available in Selectria Forces.

The Ovonics team, which consists of about 10 people, has 4 vehicles in this race. They are doing well, says Nick Karditas. Their electric scooter set a record for the most range ever covered by a scooter.

Christiana Usenza
Photo: Nick Karditas and Ovonics vehicle

Who combines good ol' solar ingenuity and groovy tunes in one mobile unit? You guessed it -- Eugene Beer, the official entertainer of Tour de Sol. Eugene told us: "I've always wanted to be able to spontaneously make music; anywhere, anytime." This wish developed into a bicycle complete with a solar powered keyboard and amplifier! Energy for these is stored in batteries, generously donated by SANYO Energy Corporation. A physics and electrical engineering major from Columbus Ohio, Eugene connected with Tour de Sol when Nancy Hazard heard him playing, and he mentioned his solar/musical bicycle. This is his first year with the tour, and he hopes to continue it in the future. Eugene would like to design other musical bikes: one idea is to design a bike for his friend to play the violin while riding, with a solar amplifier. If his dream comes true, Eugene and his bike will someday be seen on the corner of Broadway and 42nd street, or in Venice Beach, California. A computer programmer by trade, Eugene also plays with a seven-person, battery operated band on the streets of Columbus. Eugene combines his love of music with his wish to "lower the destruction of the environment." He enjoys spontaneously bringing people together to make music and enjoy themselves-Who knows, maybe we will see him jamming with the President on the White House steps.

Christiana Usenza

The race is over and the ending buffet is held in the crystal Marriott in Washington D.C. There was much laughter many kisses, and water flowed like wine. There were many speakers and many awards handed out by different people. Best hybrid vehicle, best commuter vehicle, longest mileage on one charge, best bicycles. Rob Wells ended it all with personal awards to different people. One man had been there for all ten years on volunteer work. In the end no one walked away with out smiling, because in something like this there are no losers.

Sam Sherman