Solar car shines in Cambridge

Plans for a solar-powered racing car which will cruise at 60mph using the same power as a hairdryer have been unveiled by students at Cambridge University.

The car, codenamed "Bethany", will be completed this summer and is being touted as Britain's brightest hope for the World Solar Challenge - a gruelling 3,000km race across the Australian Outback.

Its power will come from solar energy captured by a 6m² covering of high-efficiency silicon cells.

'At a time when the automotive industry is being forced to look at a low-carbon future, our vehicle demonstrates the enormous potential of energy-efficient electric vehicle technologies,' said Anthony Law, manager of the student group Cambridge University Eco Racing (CUER) which is building the car.

Using computer simulation software, the car's aerodynamics, rolling resistance, weight and electrical efficiency have all been optimised to minimise its energy requirements. It will also be fitted with an energy-efficient hub motor, a control system to provide battery management and an electric braking system which generates energy.