Published on June 24th, 2008 | by Max Lindberg

Dyson Plans Solar Powered Car

Vacuum Cleaner Whiz Going To The Streets

Update: Dyson Is NOT Making An Electric Car, A Report from London

The king of vacuum cleaners, James Dyson, is betting that a souped-up version of his vacuum cleaner and hair dryer motors will power cars over hundreds of miles.

Using technology developed for his lightweight electric motors, Dyson hopes to partner with Honda or another car maker, rather than build a car from the ground up.

Solar panels on top of the vehicle, or on the garage where it is stored, would provide electricity to charge the car’s battery. Of course, the best performance would probably come from a country where there’s abundant enough sunshine to keep the battery charged.

Of course, he could also think about adding a plug-in function, just in case it stays cloudy for days on end.

Engineers at his Wiltshire HQ are currently said to be developing the motor at its facility in the Uk.

The British inventor has made a fortune with his bagless vacuum cleaner and hand dryer.

His first endeavor was the Ballbarrow, a wheel barrow he invented in the 1970’s, which led to the vacuum cleaner, the “supercharged” hand dryer, and more recently a two-drum washing machine.

Dyson believes electric cars are the future for city driving at present, but with his new motor they could reach much higher speeds and have a longer range.

Just think, you could whiz down the road, vacuuming up dust and debris, then blowing it to the side of the road or into a side-car Ballbarrow for dumping at an appropriate site.

What a concept.

Photo Credit: Mail Online

Story Source: Mail Online

References to other electric car posts:

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Tags: car, Conventional Cars, Dyson, Dyson Vacuum Cleaners, electric cars, Solar power, solar powered cars

About the Author

Max Lindberg My home state is Illinois, and my hometown a little railroad/farming community named Galesburg.We lived on a small farm during my high school years and I became very aware of nature and it's wonders. I loved the out of doors, working with animals, plowing fields and harvesting crops. Those were very good years.After a stint in the Army during the Korean war my broadcasting career took off at the local radio station, a 250 watt "teapot" as it was called in those days. My first job was as an engineer, then the ham came out and I became an announcer/newsman, graduating after several years to a larger market and a stint as a TV journalist/photographer. Cold, wet weather led me to the southwest where I've lived for most of the last 40 years, with a couple of years out to have fun working as a private investigator in San Francisco, and a few years working in Las Vegas hotels and casinos. In all, its been a real ride.After retiring a few years back I became fascinated with the efforts being made to find alternative energy sources. I've watched our environment deteriorate during my lifetime, and now it's my chance to join the chorus of intelligent and caring individuals making a difference one day at a time.

JONO

I think it is a bit of a pipe dream to think that the solar panels that can fit on the top of a car can charge the car’s battery in any useful amount of time. The panels can be supplemental but definitely not the sole source of recharge energy.
JONO

I think it is a bit of a pipe dream to think that the solar panels that can fit on the top of a car can charge the car’s battery in any useful amount of time. The panels can be supplemental but definitely not the sole source of recharge energy.
JONO

I think it is a bit of a pipe dream to think that the solar panels that can fit on the top of a car can charge the car’s battery in any useful amount of time. The panels can be supplemental but definitely not the sole source of recharge energy.
JONO

I think it is a bit of a pipe dream to think that the solar panels that can fit on the top of a car can charge the car’s battery in any useful amount of time. The panels can be supplemental but definitely not the sole source of recharge energy.
http://blog.800hightech.com 800HighTech

Completely plausible idea, it will be interesting to see how this pans out.

With the rise in popularity regarding solar panels and renewable energy sources, it’s certainly in fitting with the technology of today.
http://blog.800hightech.com 800HighTech

Completely plausible idea, it will be interesting to see how this pans out.

With the rise in popularity regarding solar panels and renewable energy sources, it’s certainly in fitting with the technology of today.
http://blog.800hightech.com 800HighTech

Completely plausible idea, it will be interesting to see how this pans out.

With the rise in popularity regarding solar panels and renewable energy sources, it’s certainly in fitting with the technology of today.
http://future-design.freehostia.com/cars/bmw-gina-concept-design/ M. Jane

I really hope this new generation of non-fuel cars will be released to general public. I am sick and tired of these gas-release cars these days.
http://future-design.freehostia.com/cars/bmw-gina-concept-design/ M. Jane

I really hope this new generation of non-fuel cars will be released to general public. I am sick and tired of these gas-release cars these days.
http://future-design.freehostia.com/cars/bmw-gina-concept-design/ M. Jane

I really hope this new generation of non-fuel cars will be released to general public. I am sick and tired of these gas-release cars these days.
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http://www.bl0g.co.uk/ DD

We’ve heard this all before – companies making this improvement and that improvement in electric car design, but where are they? It always comes down to three issues: Range, Price and Availability.

We own the Dyson Vacuum and a Dyson Washing machine and at the time of their launch they were bloody fantastic. Obviously the competition has caught up to some extent now, but they’re still marvellous machines and show exactly how forward thinking Mr. Dyson is.

I’m waiting for the Electric Smart Car and daydreaming about the Th!nk Ox, but I’d love a Dyson Electric Vehicle. Get on it, James!
http://www.bl0g.co.uk/ DD

We’ve heard this all before – companies making this improvement and that improvement in electric car design, but where are they? It always comes down to three issues: Range, Price and Availability.

We own the Dyson Vacuum and a Dyson Washing machine and at the time of their launch they were bloody fantastic. Obviously the competition has caught up to some extent now, but they’re still marvellous machines and show exactly how forward thinking Mr. Dyson is.

I’m waiting for the Electric Smart Car and daydreaming about the Th!nk Ox, but I’d love a Dyson Electric Vehicle. Get on it, James!
http://www.bl0g.co.uk/ DD

We’ve heard this all before – companies making this improvement and that improvement in electric car design, but where are they? It always comes down to three issues: Range, Price and Availability.

We own the Dyson Vacuum and a Dyson Washing machine and at the time of their launch they were bloody fantastic. Obviously the competition has caught up to some extent now, but they’re still marvellous machines and show exactly how forward thinking Mr. Dyson is.

I’m waiting for the Electric Smart Car and daydreaming about the Th!nk Ox, but I’d love a Dyson Electric Vehicle. Get on it, James!
Geoff Swenson

There is absolutely no way that a car can run from solar electricity, no matter how efficient it is, and with every exterior surface covered with panels. The best you could do would be a car that goes about 40 miles on a charge …. at 3 mph. You could walk faster.

The sun is simply not strong enough to provide enough juice to the battery.

Solar energy would work just fine to run a car, but the panels have to be on a much larger surface, such as the roof of your house.
Geoff Swenson

There is absolutely no way that a car can run from solar electricity, no matter how efficient it is, and with every exterior surface covered with panels. The best you could do would be a car that goes about 40 miles on a charge …. at 3 mph. You could walk faster.

The sun is simply not strong enough to provide enough juice to the battery.

Solar energy would work just fine to run a car, but the panels have to be on a much larger surface, such as the roof of your house.
Geoff Swenson

There is absolutely no way that a car can run from solar electricity, no matter how efficient it is, and with every exterior surface covered with panels. The best you could do would be a car that goes about 40 miles on a charge …. at 3 mph. You could walk faster.

The sun is simply not strong enough to provide enough juice to the battery.

Solar energy would work just fine to run a car, but the panels have to be on a much larger surface, such as the roof of your house.
Geoff Swenson

There is absolutely no way that a car can run from solar electricity, no matter how efficient it is, and with every exterior surface covered with panels. The best you could do would be a car that goes about 40 miles on a charge …. at 3 mph. You could walk faster.

The sun is simply not strong enough to provide enough juice to the battery.

Solar energy would work just fine to run a car, but the panels have to be on a much larger surface, such as the roof of your house.
EP

If a dyson car is as good as the vacuums at doing their job…I’ll take 3, no wait 4… my son will be driving too by then….
EP

If a dyson car is as good as the vacuums at doing their job…I’ll take 3, no wait 4… my son will be driving too by then….
EP

If a dyson car is as good as the vacuums at doing their job…I’ll take 3, no wait 4… my son will be driving too by then….
http://www.mistersustainable.com Mr. Sustainable

My wife Catrin and I own one of Mr. Dyson’s vacuum cleaners. It is as good as he boasts on TV. I’ve been eager to see the MDI air car come to the United States. Perhaps Mr. Dyson can trump them and give us the real thing right now?!
http://www.mistersustainable.com Mr. Sustainable

My wife Catrin and I own one of Mr. Dyson’s vacuum cleaners. It is as good as he boasts on TV. I’ve been eager to see the MDI air car come to the United States. Perhaps Mr. Dyson can trump them and give us the real thing right now?!
Kyle

Course the car would require a plug in system as well. It simply makes better press to say it will run on solar power.
Kyle

Course the car would require a plug in system as well. It simply makes better press to say it will run on solar power.
Ross Nicholson

Detroit is building too big.

Roads should be both solar panels and powerlines. Cars shouldn’t carry heavy batteries, they should just get power from the road itself with Tesla coils. I’d like to see a single-side bicycle wheel motor around New Vinci light.
- http://twitter.com/Kompulsa Kompulsa (@Kompulsa)
  
  Thank you. I would prefer batteryless power from the road any day.
Ross Nicholson

Detroit is building too big.

Roads should be both solar panels and powerlines. Cars shouldn’t carry heavy batteries, they should just get power from the road itself with Tesla coils. I’d like to see a single-side bicycle wheel motor around New Vinci light.
http://www.thecompostbin.com Anthony

They should keep the vacuum part of the design that so these new cars could clean the roads as you drive.
http://www.thecompostbin.com Anthony

They should keep the vacuum part of the design that so these new cars could clean the roads as you drive.
JDinFL

If your car is sitting in the parking lot at work under the hot Sun for 9-12 hours, or even longer for some of us, why wouldn’t that be enough for solar panels to at least charge enough for short commutes? Who cares what the batteries weigh if one never has to pay for fuel? The Chevrolet Volt is supposed to be released in the next year or so and claims a 40 mile range without using the onboard engine to generate electricity. If solar panels can be utilized (maybe even some extra ones that serve as winshield barriers) could charge enough to run the car even only 20 miles a day, that is more than enough for more than 50% of US city commuters.
JDinFL

If your car is sitting in the parking lot at work under the hot Sun for 9-12 hours, or even longer for some of us, why wouldn’t that be enough for solar panels to at least charge enough for short commutes? Who cares what the batteries weigh if one never has to pay for fuel? The Chevrolet Volt is supposed to be released in the next year or so and claims a 40 mile range without using the onboard engine to generate electricity. If solar panels can be utilized (maybe even some extra ones that serve as winshield barriers) could charge enough to run the car even only 20 miles a day, that is more than enough for more than 50% of US city commuters.
jajajajajaj1596

its waaay tooo ugly
jajajajajaj1596

its waaay tooo ugly
pkelly

the answer to the batter longevity problem in cars would be to use a micro-wave or lazer energy transmitor, that could be used on the highway. the usage could be charged in a way similar to the cellphones are. since the technology is about 75 percnet sucessfull an on board battery would still be needed. eventually once this type of tech. is improved batteries may not be necessary at all.
pkelly

the answer to the batter longevity problem in cars would be to use a micro-wave or lazer energy transmitor, that could be used on the highway. the usage could be charged in a way similar to the cellphones are. since the technology is about 75 percnet sucessfull an on board battery would still be needed. eventually once this type of tech. is improved batteries may not be necessary at all.
Barrie Brown

Given Mr. Dysan’s current pricing model for his “fan in a can” you can expect the car running on his motor to be similar in price to the US Space Shuttle or the gross domestic product of many third world countries.
Barrie Brown

Given Mr. Dysan’s current pricing model for his “fan in a can” you can expect the car running on his motor to be similar in price to the US Space Shuttle or the gross domestic product of many third world countries.
http://Web joe

hey if we dont have to pay for gas it works for me
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