It’s been over a hundred years since the introduction of the automobile, and although our cars are smarter than ever, they still share a lot of technologies with their predecessors. Most cars today, as they did in the early 1900’s, rely on fossil fuels to operate gas engines and diesel engines, and the ones that don’t, still require some sort of human input to re-charge.

We’re always hopeful for a leap into the future – things like self-driving or flying cars, teleporting vehicles; figments of someone else’s imagination popularized by science fiction. What if we take fueling, the one trait cars have shared for decades, out of the equation? New innovative car technology is letting us do just that.

The Ford C-MAX Solar Energi Concept is a glimpse of the future. Yes, it does require you to fill-up at the gas station, but unlike plug-in hybrid cars, you’ll never have to plug to an external power source like ordinary electric cars. That’s because the C-MAX’s roof is a giant solar panel, and it constantly recharges the batteries that power the electric car’s engine. This is a big deal when you consider this is free, clean, 100% renewable energy over using fossil fuels for gas and diesel engines.

To make this possible, Ford partnered with Georgia Institute of Technology, home to some of the nation’s highest regarded experts in the solar field. This will allow Ford to thoroughly test the C-MAX and get the feedback they need when this solar powered, electric hybrid car goes into production. Ford also partnered with SunPower, which provides the top of the line solar panels used in the C-MAX Solar.

We’re hoping to see this new generation of self-sustainable at Ford dealerships in the near future, when fueling becomes a thing of the past. In the meantime, we can watch this technology grow and expect to see more competition in the solar field.

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Lamarque Ford is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in New Orleans, LA. Located in Kenner, LA, Lamarque Ford is committed to providing you the best customer service and vehicle service for the life of your vehicle. Whether you’re on the market to purchase, finance, or service a new or used Ford vehicle, you’ve come to the right place.