Swiss born Louis Palmer aka "Mr Solar Taxi" arrives in Bangkok in his solar powered taxi halfway through his "Swiss Solar Taxi on World Tour". Palmer is driving around the world without using a single drop of petrol to tell the world that we can stop global warming and that solutions are available. Palmer started on 3rd July 2007 in Lucerne, in Switzerland. Palmer will exhibit his solar taxi at Central World Plaza, Bangkok on 10th April 2008. Check out the official website at http://www.solartaxi.com
He carries a swiss flag on his rooftop along with the flag of the country he is visiting. His solar cells are powered by Q-CELLS AG which is the main sponsor with their logo on his car.
Technology highlights of the vehicle:
- Ecology: Zero CO2 emission
- Max. speed: of 90 km/h
- Light weight: 500 kg (+ 250 kg for thailer)
- Energy efficient: Consumption of 8 kWh/100 km (equivalent of 0.8 l petrol / 100 km)
- 6m2 solar cells on a rooftop yield power for 15,000 km per year
- Drive up to 400 km with the latest ZEBRA battery technology
In 2004, he gave up his teaching career to design a solar vehicle and asked for help from experts as well as support from private companies. He called his solar vehicle a 'taxi' as it has an extra seat for a passenger. Over 400 people had experienced a ride including the Prince of Jordan and Australian Environment Minister Peter Garrett. Palmer aims to travel atleast 50,000 km through 40 countries in 5 continents in around 18 months, to lecture 40,000 people on his world trip.
Some of the big cities on his tour are:
- Singapore (25 March)
- Kuala Lumpur (31 March)
- Bangkok (9 April)
- Vientiane, Kunming (18 April)
- Shanghai (12 May)
- Beijing (21 May)
- Seoul
- Osaka
- Tokyo
- Vancouver
- San Francisco
- Los Angeles
- Phoenix
- Chicago
- New York
- Montreal
He has inspired Thai engineers to develop their own solar vehicle and send it to the United Nations climate change talks in Copenhagen next year.
