Solar flux is (simply put) the scientific term for the level of energy coming from the sun. But the term was recently redefined for the insurance industry when the UK’s first solar-powered car made history by driving from London to John O’ Groats.
The CUER Affinity, built by young engineering students from Cambridge University’s Engineering Department, covered the 1014 miles in a single week, on public roads.
And the thin, strange, chiclet-shaped car not only turned heads along the way, but it made insurers throughout Britain scratch their heads when the students tried to get insurance cover for the trip.
Adrian Flux came up trumps in getting the CUER Affinity insured. A specialist in cover for hard-to-categorise vehicles, the company has not yet come across a vehicle it cannot cover – provided it is street legal.
Solar power might be some way from being a practical reality on Britain’s roads, partly because of the lack of sun. There were one or two points during Affinity’s journey north where dull and rainy weather brought the trip to a temporary halt.
But weather aside, Affinity’s creators proved that Britain is still at the leading edge of technology. And they proved that Flux really can insure any vehicle.
Adrian Flux Insurance Services is well known for offering cover on vehicles that many other insurers won’t touch and is already getting enquiries from customers about insuring other 21st-century modes of transport such as hydrogen-powered vehicles. The company aims to offer cheaper car insurance and has a huge range of policies for the motoring enthusiast.
More information on the CUER Affinity project – including a selection of hi-resolution photographs – is available on the project’s website: www.cuer.co.uk
For details contact the Adrian Flux quote line on 0800 505 3000, email the company at quotes@adrianflux.co.uk, or see the Flux homepage on www.adrianflux.co.uk