A revolutionary step in sustainable mobility has been achieved by students from the Eindhoven University of Technology, who have successfully designed and built the Stella Vita, setting a world record as the World’s first solar-powered campervan, according to the World Record Academy.
The Stella Vita, Latin for “star of life,” is not merely an electric vehicle; it is a fully self-sustaining “House On Wheels” capable of both generating all the energy it needs for travel and powering a comfortable living space.
The vehicle, developed by the student team Solar Team Eindhoven, pushes the boundaries of clean energy and mobile living. It generates energy exclusively through its expansive rooftop solar panels, eliminating the need for external charging stations.
- Self-Sustaining Home: When parked, the roof slides up to create standing room, and additional solar panels fold out, doubling the solar surface area to as much as 17.5 square meters. This energy powers all onboard amenities, which include a double bed, sofa, kitchen, sink, shower, and toilet.
- Impressive Range: Thanks to its lightweight carbon-fiber construction and aerodynamic design, the Stella Vita can travel approximately 730 km (453 miles) on a sunny day without using an external charge, operating solely on solar energy.
- Real-World Test: To prove its capabilities, the student team successfully completed an over 3,000-kilometer (1,800+ miles) road trip from the Netherlands all the way to Tarifa, the southernmost tip of Spain, demonstrating the viability of solar-powered travel across Europe.
The 22 students behind the project aimed to demonstrate that the future of mobility is not reliant on charging infrastructure but on vehicles that are their own power source.
The record-setting Stella Vita offers a glimpse into a sustainable, independent future where travelers are free to go wherever they desire without harming the environment. The innovative design is already turning heads and inspiring discussions among major automakers about the next generation of mobile homes and electric vehicles.
