Though their lack of emissions is admirable, the knock on electric vehicles is that their power is likely derived from dirty sources. Could a new solar-powered car unveiled by Ford kick-start the era of renewable energy-powered transportation?
Ariel Schwartz reports on Ford's new C-MAX Solar Energi Concept, which was unveiled last week. The concept vehicle is "a version of the C-MAX plug-in hybrid that's outfitted with 16 square feet of photovoltaic panels on its roof. The vehicle, which takes six to seven hours to charge fully, can run on solar energy for 21 miles before switching to gasoline."
Though the car's lengthy charging period and limited range limit its practicality, there's reason to be optimistic. "In theory, there are a few advantages compared to traditional plug-in electric vehicles," Schwartz explains. "Solar-powered cars are cheaper, since they don't require costly power from utilities, and they are guaranteed to be powered by 100% renewable energy."
In an article in the San Francisco Chronicle, John O'Dell, senior editor for the Edmunds.com auto information website, was circumspect in his analysis: "It sounds like an interesting experiment. I'm not sure it has much real-world application."
Thanks to Irvin Dawid
FULL STORY: Is Ford's Solar Car The Holy Grail For Renewable Energy-Powered Transportation?

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont