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Oct. 10, 1976 - The Ugly Duckling makes its bebut - The World's first civilian car partially powered by solar energy. A two seater car known as the Ugly Duckling made automative history by becoming the world's first civilian car partially powered by solar energy. Professor Arye Braunstein, head of the Power Engineering department of Tel Aviy University demonstrated the Ugly Duckling, which was converted from a regular electric battery powered vehicle into Mixed fuel vehicle. Its batteries get one quarter to one third of their energy from the silicone solar cell panels covering the roof and the front part of the vehicle, where every other self respecting automobile would have had its engine and radiator. The output of the solar panels 16 modules of 36 cells each amounts to about 1 kwh adding at least 25 per cent to the range of the car. The Duckling was made from a city car which costs 2, 500 dollars and has a range of 60 kms. The increase in range is considered a major break through, since one of the principal handicaps of the city ca had been that is would barely cover the average suburbanite's travels to and from work. The idea is to park the car in the sun.Photo shows Professor Arye Braunstein gives the Ugly Duckling a trial run in TelAviv, Israel

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Adding Amounts Arye Average Barely Batteries Battery Becoming Braunstein Cells Cent Considered Converted Costs Demonstrated Dollars Duckling Handicaps Idea Increase Least Mixed Modules Output Panels Partially Radiator Regular Respecting Seater Silicone Solar Ugly

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