Unlike Jakarta, Bali has been scorching hot these past few days. The sun beats down as if roasting the earth, its glare blinding to anyone without sunglasses.
The heat has made some people in Bali grumble. After all, such relentless heat—an average of 30 degrees Celsius—feels oppressive, even to those accustomed to tropical climates.
A Solar-Powered Taxi
But perhaps there is one person who is delighted with this weather. His name is Louis Palmer, the driver of a solar-powered taxi who has finally arrived in Bali after traveling roughly 14,000 kilometers from his home.
When I met Mr. Palmer, he explained that he and his crew had journeyed all the way from Switzerland to Bali.
“I’m traveling around the world with this solar-powered car,” he began. “And now we’ve stopped in Bali specifically to attend the Climate Change Conference.”
The vehicle he brought along resembled something out of the future, with a trailer hitched to its rear. Only chest-high to an adult man and about six Asian strides long, the futuristic car—painted white with blue stripes—drew the attention of conference participants.
“I want to show people how this car can run purely on solar energy,” he explained. “And that it’s even possible to travel around the world powered only by the sun.”
Technically, the car stores sunlight through photovoltaic panels mounted on the flat surface of its trailer. Don’t imagine a farmer’s cart, though—this was a smooth, high-tech platform. The solar panels charge a dry battery, which then powers the vehicle forward.
Surprisingly, the car can reach speeds of up to 90 kilometers per hour. I experienced it firsthand when Palmer gave me a ride.
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Inside the Ride
Climbing into the cockpit felt unusual. Unlike a regular car, your legs have to stretch straight forward since there’s no room to bend them. The low roof barely accommodates an average-height passenger.
The view ahead, however, is remarkably clear. The windshield spans wider than that of most cars, tapering slightly in the middle to match the aerodynamic design of the front body.
The car has no gears. One simply presses the accelerator to go and the brake to stop. The steering wheel looks familiar but smaller—about one and a half handspans in diameter.
When the car moves, there is no growl of an engine, no disruptive roar. Just smooth, quiet motion.
“People here are looking for alternatives to fossil fuels to reduce global warming,” Palmer said cheerfully as he drove. “I want to show them that this car is one of the solutions.”
Indeed, without burning fuel, the vehicle emits no carbon dioxide. It is a clear example of adapting to the impacts of climate change—producing absolutely no emissions at all.
Beyond Solar
Uniquely, while most cars rely on gas stations, this solar taxi can also recharge its batteries with hydroelectric power. In other words, instead of refueling at a pump, Palmer could simply stop by a river, harness the electricity generated by water turbines, and recharge the car for nighttime use.
Palmer was clearly proud of his vehicle. To him, it represents a transformation in his own role.
“In the past, by driving a gasoline car, I was part of the problem,” he said with a smile. “Now, with this solar-powered car, I’m part of the solution—a hero of the future.”
As he stopped at the gates of the Bali International Convention Center (BICC), he invited me to step out, while encouraging others to experience for themselves what it felt like to be part of a new hope. (Sulung Prasetyo)
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