Solar-hybrid car explodes, killing two Italian researchers

Two Italian researchers have died after a solar-powered hybrid car prototype they were test-driving exploded last week near the city of Naples. The vehicle, a rejigged VW Polo, was being developed as part of an EU-funded project to convert old combustion engine cars into solar-powered hybrids. The prototype caught alight last Friday during a test drive, leaving the two occupants in critical condition. Maria Vittoria Prati, a researcher at Italy’s National Council of Research (CNR), died of complications from third-degree burns on Monday.  Earlier this week, the CNR paid tribute to Ms Prati as “a brilliant researcher” and “an expert…

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