A custom-built, solar-powered car thrived in the New Mexico sun during a brief stop in Albuquerque at the end of July.
The car named “Aevum,” was designed and built by students at the University of Michigan. According to a July 31 KOB 4 report, Aevum stopped in Albuquerque in the midst of a 3,000-mile trip called the Michigan Sun Run that began in Princeton, N.J., and ended in Los Angeles, Calif.
"We took a two-year design cycle, a year spent designing it and a year spent building," reported University of Michigan student Evan Travis, according to KOB 4.
Travis told KOB 4 the cross-country venture had a dual purpose.
“Partly just to say that we can do it, make the vehicle go that far, as well as to do some outreach as we go," Travis said in the KOB 4 report.
The vehicle reached a top speed of 80 mph, and normally travels 55 mph using entirely solar energy, KOB 4 reported Drivers rotated out every two hours to avoid overheating in the tight vehicle with no air conditioning.
“Pretty much everyone who drives past has their camera up taking video as they go past,” Travis said, according to KOB 4.
