Australian scientists to power Tesla on 15,000-km trip with printed solar panels

Charge Around Australia project lead and inventor of 'printed solar' panels Paul Dastoor is pictured next to a printed solar panel and a Tesla car, in Gosforth, Australia April 10, 2022. Stefica Nicol Bikes/REUTERS

GOSFORTH, Australia (Reuters) - Scientists in Australia are testing printed solar panels they will use to power a Tesla on a 15,100-km (9,400-mile) journey beginning in September, which they hope will get the public thinking about steps to help avert climate change.

The Charge Around Australia project will power a Tesla electric car with 18 of the team's printed plastic solar panels, each 18 metres (59 feet) long, rolling them out beside the vehicle to soak up sunlight when it needs a charge.