• The prototype will represent Chile in the “Sasol Solar Challenge” race to be held in February 2021 in South Africa.
• Eolian Auriga will be ambassador for the ElectroRuta Enel X project, which considers 1,200 charging stations from Arica to Punta Arena and will tour Chile raising awareness of the importance of the development of electromobility and renewable energies.

Santiago, November 27, 2020 – For the purpose of supporting the development of innovative initiatives to promote e-mobility and renewable energies, Enel X signed an agreement with the University of Chile for the joint development of the “Eolian Auriga-Enel X” project to build a solar-powered 4-passenger car in Latin America.

The alliance includes the dissemination and creation of high-value content on electromobility and renewable energies, as well as technical advisory by Enel X professionals to contribute to the construction of a high-standard vehicle. Likewise, the car will tour several cities throughout Chile, including La Serena, Viña del Mar and Concepcion, following the ElectroRuta Enel X  to carry out performance testing before the “Sasol Solar Challenge” race scheduled for February 2021 in South Africa.

Aerodynamics plays a key role in the Eolian Auriga project. It will weigh around 500 kilos, with two engines boasting 2 kW of power each and 3.72 m2 of solar panels. This will allow it to reach an ideal speed of 90 km/h, and an autonomy of up to 700 km without solar charge, and 1,100 km with solar charge.

“The expansion of electromobility is a national commitment, and at Enel X we have taken on a leading role in this challenge. This alliance with the University of Chile is just one more milestone demonstrating the value of collaboration within the private sector, and in this case, between academic institutions to promote renewable energies and the reduction of city pollution,” says Karla Zapata, CEO of Enel X Chile.

In this regard, the Dean of the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Chile (FCFM), Francisco Martinez, affirms that “this support contributes to the fundamental job of developing innovation and new energy technologies. “This is will have a huge impact on the transformation of motor power in the future, which is why we are committed to the development of these projects, and where our association with Enel X is key to transforming society as a whole, from the industrial sector, and renewing the country's energy sources, making this an important strategic step,” claims Martinez.

The Eolian Auriga is being built by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Chile dedicated to the design and development of solar-powered cars, which has the experience of developing 5 versions of a solar-powered vehicle.

The creation of the sixth version considers a 4-passenger capacity, making it the first model of its kind in Latin America and one step closer to a vehicle that can be used in regular daily life.

Enel X ElectroRuta

This is Latin America's most ambitious electromobility project, which the company presented earlier this year, and which considers the installation of 1,200 charging stations throughout Chile to connect the country across 5,000 kilometers from North to South, and thus guarantee the autonomy and continuing operation of electric cars.