Solar Car Race Adds Four-Seat Vehicles in Shift Toward Everyday Use

The Solar Car Challenge added a new division to its 2025 cross-Texas road race for four-seat vehicles covered in solar panels. For 30 years, entries were slim, single-seat racers built for speed. The new class asks teams to carry more people using only the energy the sun provides — the same challenge researchers have tackled for over a decade in building practical solar cars.