The Venturi Eclectic is a zero-emission urban car running on solar-sourced electric power, built by the French-Monegasque manufacturer Venturi. Its roof carries a solar panel and it has its own wind turbine, so it works as a small renewable energy plant as well as a car.
Venturi Eclectic at a glance
| Maker | Venturi, Monaco |
|---|---|
| Type | urban electric car |
| Shown | Paris Motor Show, 2006 |
| Designer | Sacha Lakic |
| Seats | three, in a V-formation |
| Power sources | roof solar panel, wind turbine, mains charging |
| Range | 50 km |
| Top speed | 50 km/h |
| Recognition | Time Magazine Best Inventions of 2007 |
| Eclectic 2.0 | more compact, Paris Motor Show 2008 |
| Assembly plant | construction began in Sablé-sur-Sarthe in 2010 |
History of the Venturi Eclectic
The Eclectic concept appeared at the Paris Motor Show in 2006. It was designed by Sacha Lakic and was mentioned in Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2007. The car was conceived as an urban vehicle with open sides and three seats arranged in a V-formation, with the driver at the apex.
Its roof-mounted solar panel and small wind turbine let it function as a renewable energy production and storage plant; it can also be recharged at any outlet of the power grid. The range is 50 kilometres and the maximum speed 50 km/h, which suits its role in crowded city traffic.
A second version, the Eclectic 2.0, was first revealed at the Paris Motor Show in 2008. It was designed on similar principles but was more compact, with more limited accommodation, so that it would be easier to drive and to park in a crowded urban environment.
In 2010 Venturi began construction of an assembly plant for its electric vehicles in Sablé-sur-Sarthe. The plant was planned to build three types of electric vehicle: the Eclectic, the Voxan Wattman electric motorcycle and a three-wheeler utility vehicle. The Eclectic remains noteworthy as the first solar-powered car developed with mass production in mind.
Design and features
- Solar roof: a panel on the roof feeds the battery and makes the car a small power plant.
- Wind turbine: a second source of renewable energy carried on the car itself.
- Mains charging: the battery can also be topped up from any ordinary socket.
- Three-seat V layout: the driver sits at the apex, with two passengers behind and to the sides.
- Urban limits: 50 km of range and 50 km/h suit short city journeys rather than long trips.
Venturi Eclectic versions
- Eclectic (2006): the original concept and production model, shown at the Paris Motor Show.
- Eclectic 2.0 (2008): a more compact version for crowded cities, with more limited accommodation.
The Eclectic was the second electric model from Venturi after the Venturi Fétish, and it was built by the same company that had made the Venturi Atlantique. More cars are in the Venturi collection.
Video: Venturi Eclectic Solar EV car
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Venturi Eclectic, English Wikipedia: design, power sources, range, versions, plant
- Venturi Eclectic, French Wikipedia: zero-emission description, designer
