Solar and Electric Vehicles

Since the late 1970's, we have been involved in developing sustainable transportation technologies powered with renewable energy sources. In 1981 Ron Swenson built a solar powered electric tricycle, and then in 1991 went forward in earnest with a promotional event, exhibiting solar race cars at the Denver Grand Prix. As a consequence, we joined with Beatriz Padilla and a group of university students to develop a solar race car in Mexico City. Tonatiuh competed in 2 international solar car races, and has been the impetus for a number of commercial electric vehicle projects -- electrathon racing, converting regular cars to electric, and an electric bus with the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico.

solarEVolution, a joint venture between SolarQuest^® and Global Light & Power, is pioneering a new form of education with a curriculum that engages youth in building a utilitarian solar vehicle.

now housed at the London Science Museum: Ron's great-great-grandfather was engineer on the "Puffing Billy"
Ron with son Brendan driving his first solar vehicle in 1981
Denver Grand Prix Solar Car Exhibit, 1991
University of Colima, Mexico, Electrathon Racing Team, 1994
Electric "Vocho" -- a VW conversion in Mexico, 1994
Tonatiuh and the Mexican Solar Race Team, 1995
Mexico, UNAM Electric Bus prototype, built 1995
Ultralight Rail Design for Santa Cruz, in design, 1995
Prototype electric motorcycle, 1998

Prototype electric bicycle, 1999

Utility Solar Vehicle (from SUV to USV) by SolarEVolution, 2002+

Stay tuned for more developments!