Source: The Next Web
BMW's sponsorship of Clemson's 1,700-cell solar vehicle is a proof-of-concept that forces engineers to optimize every system (weight, aerodynamics, efficiency) toward a concrete, measurable goal. A student team achieved net-positive daily energy generation using current-generation solar cells and battery tech. This suggests automotive R&D has been leaving efficiency gains on the table, prioritizing performance and comfort over the physics of total energy flow. The question shifts from "when will EVs be sustainable" to "why aren't manufacturers designing for positive energy balance as a baseline engineering constraint."