Racing with the wind

When it comes to green transportation, talk generally centres around hybrids or, more recently, plug-in hybrids and electric cars. Solar- and wind-powered cars are usually dismissed because of their reliance on the weather which, due to its changeable nature, can leave their vehicles stranded.

But that may be about to change.

Recently, solar transportation has made great strides in proving its viability through solar car races such as the World Solar Challenge, a 3,000 kilometre race across Australia, and the North American Solar Challenge, a 3,900 kilometre race from Dallas, Texas to Calgary, Alberta.

Currently, six teams from Europe are competing in a wind-powered car race in the Netherlands. Sponsored by Wind Energy Events, Racing Aeolus takes place from August 20 to August 23 along a 5.3 kilometre course on a seawall bordering the North Sea.

All vehicles must have wheels and be powered by wind turbines coupled to the wheels. Storage batteries are allowed, but can only store energy generated by the turbines during the race. All vehicles must be capable of driving straight into the wind, something a sail-equipped vehicle can’t do.