Meet the solar cabby

Ng Jing Yng, Today Online 26 Mar 08;

IN a solar-powered car, Mr Louis Palmer, 33, has so far traversed more than 20 countries to find out what the world is doing to stop global warming.

Calling his car a Solartaxi, he offers a ride to anyone keen on solar energy, although the Swiss adventurer had a slight hitch when he arrived in Singapore yesterday as his car had to be held at customs for a few hours as it did not have the necessary insurance.

That aside, he has been heartened to see how many are doing their part. In Melbourne, for instance, he noted how some citizens campaigned to get people to stop drinking milk, as cows emit methane gas when they belch.

"My main purpose is to convince people that global warming can be stopped," said Mr Palmer, who has covered more than 40,000km in nine months.

Speaking at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Mr Palmer said his Solartaxi — which took three years to assemble — has ferried more than 400 people, from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to a German couple who used it as their wedding car.

In Saudi Arabia, he endured temperatures of 51°C, he said, while India had the most challenging traffic conditions. Still, "it was great fun meeting different people and I could not single out a favourite country".

While he is optimistic about the future of solar-powered cars, Mr Palmer said one big obstacle is getting companies to invest in such eco-friendly cars.

Yesterday, a group of final-year NTU engineering students showcased their solar racing car which will race in Japan this August. Mr Xu Wen Xiang, 24, said the biggest challenge had been securing sponsorship, but he was inspired by Mr Palmer's achievements.