Teacher Invents First Cambodian Solar Car

Painted bright yellow and carrying a picture of the ancient Preah Vihear temple... this is Cambodias first solar car.

Former teacher Kong Pharith created the golf buggy-like vehicle that is now subject to a dispute between Cambodia and Thailand.

Pharith spent three years researching and developing the car and finished it in July.

Using second-hand car parts, it cost Pharith $3,000 to build the four-seater that he hopes to sell for $5,000.

[Kong Pharith, Car Builder]:
"I took simple parts to make this car. I put the motorbike springs, mirrors, metal from an old tourist van and old tyres."

The solar cell in the car has a capacity of about 2,400-watts and can drive up to 12 miles at 25 miles an hour.

If there is no sunlight, or if the driver wants to drive longer distances, the car battery can be charged as it is equipped with a dual battery system.

Besides an open-roof-top option and sockets to connect laptops or mobile phones, it comes with some additional features.

[Kong Pharith, Car Builder]:
"When it stops, the battery is still charging so it charges when it is running and when stopped at traffic light intersections or at the office. I hope to add on gasoline and diesel as well."

Locals are proud of Pharith's invention and say they will consider buying it.

[Khan Vanna, University Student]:
"I'm proud that a Khmer can make such a car--not many of them can do this and this car gives a lot of benefits. We make and use it locally and it protects our environment."

[Von Chomreun, Three-Wheel Car Driver]:
"I will buy one because it saves on gasoline and protects our environment as now, Cambodia is so polluted."

The car does not yet have an official name, but Pharith hopes to have one by the end of the year.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• NTD
• News
• Cambodia
• Solar Car
• Preah Vihear temple
• Thailand

[zeitgeisthero]

5 stars for effort

[nutier]

interesting video ! I'm proud of him to invent the Solar car . Thank you for sharing .

nutier

[Khmer22cambo]

CHEYO KRU KONG PHARITH!!

[Tallgreentrees]

Lol, the reporter make a mistake, it's not the car that is the dispute, i think they meant the temple.

[Tallgreentrees]

awsome job, keep up the good work asian people

[lilpuddintater22]

nice...khmer ppl r smart..

[KhmerSerey1]

The scarcest resource in Cambodia today is leadership talent capable of continuosly transforming Cambodia to win in tomorrow world...

[KhmerSerey1]

A brilliant man !!! all fire begin with a spark,he'll improve on it over the years and he will inspire many others to do the same,hat off to you loke-kru !!! it look like so much fun to drive around town ;))))

[samrhim]

NOooooooooooooo programmmmm ok guyz ??????

[tahpos]

SingHaRockstar, the reporting made an error. The car itself is not disputed, but the Preah Vihear temple on the car is. That's, I think, what they meant.

[SingHaRockstar]

w8 is the car disputed ? sorry my english is not good.