this post was submitted on 02 Feb 2026
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Futurology

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“The solar cells provide us with more than 50% of our needs,” says Boubaker Siala, founder and CEO of Bako Motors. “For example, the B-Van, for commercial use, you can have free energy for about 50 kilometers (31 miles) per day… 17,000 kilometers (10,563 miles) per year. …….. The B-Van, which can carry 400 kilograms (882 pounds) of cargo and has a 100 to 300-kilometer (62 to 186 mile) range, is designed for logistics and last-mile delivery, with prices starting at 24,990 Tunisian dinar ($8,500)."

It varies widely by vehicle type, etc - but travelling 31 miles costs you in the ballpark of $3 in the US or €5 in Europe. So that's around $1,000/€1,800 of free fuel every year if you were using this vehicle most days. The B-Van is small, but perfect for local deliveries, especially if paired with swappable batteries.

You know what will never pay for itself with its self-generation fuel capacity? A gasoline combustion-engine car. Here's another pointer, they're rapidly becoming the transport option of yesteryear.

The solar-powered compact car driving Tunisia’s electric vehicle revolution

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[–] borkborkbork@piefed.social 2 points 14 hours ago

It’s a testament to human stupidity how there are not solars cells on every upward-facing surface

you can just stop there. we have so much wasted surface space that doesn't need to move and is just wasted, collecting heat instead of power - roofs, carpaks, hell, they're finding it's good for crop lands. we know what we need to do, we simply can't get the petroleum earth rapists to give up their fetishes.