Prototypes of solar-powered cars have existed for more than 50 years, but mass production of these models hasn't happened until recently. Today, with major improvements in lithium battery capacity and the continued development of smaller, more efficient solar panels, the future of affordable solar cars is becoming a reality. Solar energy saves money and is environmentally friendly, so it's no wonder that solar energy is bringing new light to the automotive industry.
While many electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are adding solar panels to their vehicles, startups are also powering their vehicles with solar energy. However, solar-powered cars are still in their infancy, and few manufacturers have developed prototypes that have become commercial successes. We explain how these solar electric vehicles (sEVs) work, how they differ from conventional EVs, and how to get one.
Main ideas
- No company is making solar-powered cars available to the public. At the time of publication , solar energy is not sufficient to fully power the vehicle .
- A number of companies are adding solar panels to electric cars or designing new solar electric cars to reduce dependence on extraterrestrial energy.
- Several companies have successfully launched a new solar electric car , one due for bankruptcy in January 2023.
What is a solar car?
Several solar car companies say they are preparing to start shipping solar cars in the coming years. Solar electric cars work like regular electric cars, but they have solar panels on the hood, roof and trunk. Solar charging could be a game changer for some car owners in the fleet of more efficient electric vehicles on the road, but solar-powered vehicles are not widely available at press time.
Like other electric vehicles, your solar car can be plugged in at night. Your car parked in the sun can convert enough energy to travel 10 to 40 kilometers depending on the brand. If you have short trips and live in a sunny area, you can charge the outlet more often.
While those with longer commutes may need more miles than a day of solar charging, charging your car with solar can significantly reduce electricity consumption (and utility bills) throughout the year.
How do solar cars work?
A solar powered car can be charged from an external power source or the car can be powered by its own solar panels if it is parked in the sun.
While companies have different approaches to building solar electric vehicles, the SEVs themselves work largely the same way. Like other electric vehicles, the car's engine is powered by batteries that are charged by an external power source (a dedicated charging port or standard extension cord), but EVs can be charged by roof-mounted solar panels. The trunk. . .
Manufacturers redesigned the cars to be lighter and more efficient, lightening the body to reduce drag, using carbon fiber and plastic parts instead of steel, and in some SUVs using three wheels instead of four. These design improvements will make electric vehicles more efficient and promote them as an alternative option for solar charging.
Every EV will need to be connected to external power from time to time, but solar charging can help reduce dependence on external chargers when you're on the go. Just like a regular EV, your EV will quickly charge from an external power source when you plug it in.
New developments in EV technology mean that some EVs can be charged and recharged by other electric vehicles.
Advantages and disadvantages of cars with solar panels
As SEVs approach the road, a big challenge for automakers will be overcoming the technological hurdles that come with a solar-powered car, as well as some societal hurdles.
Advantages:
- Save on electricity costs
- Reducing your carbon footprint with green energy
- It can pay (almost) anywhere.
- More effective due to smaller size and reduced weight
Objections
- Solar charging is not possible at night
- Low solar efficiency on cloudy and rainy days
- More expensive than traditional electric cars
- Size and weight can limit capacity along with potential safety issues.
An obvious benefit of solar-powered vehicles is the clear use of the sun, the world's most common source of renewable energy. EV owners are seeing significant energy savings (compared to a gasoline or diesel vehicle), but EV owners also incur additional operating costs. While traditional electric vehicles are more climate-friendly than gas-powered vehicles, grid electricity is still generated from fossil fuels.
Solar powered cars also have some major drawbacks when it comes to driving. First of all, not all parts of the world see sunlight all the time. In the United States, cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas can see more than 200 days of sunshine a year, while some areas of the Pacific Northwest often experience constant cloud cover. This makes solar charging difficult.
Solar electric cars will be smaller and lighter than conventional electric cars or cars with combustion engines. A smaller size and reduced weight increase the overall efficiency of the vehicle, but may mean less storage space and passenger capacity. Even the simplest materials are still tested in crash tests for safety standards.
Solar powered cars are available
The EV market includes existing vehicle manufacturers, existing EV manufacturers, and new solar EV hopefuls. Aptera and Fisker both plan to offer solar electric vehicles by 2023, but few companies already have solar options on the market. Below, we've broken down the current and upcoming offerings in the solar car market.
Hyundai
The latest Hyundai Sonata Hybrid comes with an optional solar panel. Hyundai says a 205-watt photovoltaic array on the car's roof adds 2.5 miles of range per day. While that number is relatively low (some competitors claim 10-40 miles of solar), 2½ miles adds up to about 1,000 miles per year and will keep you off the road due to power outages.
Toyota:
Toyota has increased the solar roof for Prius Prime models sold in North America and Europe. Toyota hasn't released exact kilowatt-hour (kWh) specifications for the new car's solar panels, but the company says the rooftop solar panels will charge the Prius' battery and provide extra power for accessories like air conditioning.
Light year
Unlike Hyundai and Toyota, Lightyear has been building solar-powered cars since the company's founding. Deliveries of the first vehicles will begin in December 2022, when the Light 0 will hit the road as one of the first SUVs to run on solar energy. The Lightyear 0 gets up to 43 miles per day from the sun alone, but can be charged using any standard EV outlet or extension cord.
Aptera
Aptera, another automaker new to the solar electric car scene, plans to design the concept car from scratch. The Aptera, the main vehicle, is a three-wheeled two-seater that looks more like an airplane than a regular car. In some states, riders may need a motorcycle license to operate it. Aptera is designed to have a very low drag coefficient, which measures the drag an object experiences as it moves through the air.
The company uses single motors in each of the three wheels as a weight reduction strategy. Aptera has hinted that it could deliver its first SEV by 2023, but the company is still looking for investment, crowdfunding and even government loans.
fisker
Electric car maker Fisker's next release is the Fisker Ocean One, a solar-powered SUV. The Fisker Ocean One is expected to arrive in late 2023 and will feature a unique SolarSky solar panel that will span the length of the vehicle's roof. Fisker says the solar roof can generate 1,500 emission-free miles per year. The Fisker Ocean offers a range of up to 350 miles and accelerates from 0 to 60 km/h in 3.6 seconds.
PA engines
Based in Munich, Germany, Sono Motors hopes to disrupt the traditional electric vehicle market with its futuristic design. Sono Scion aims to redefine not just SUVs, but car culture in general. Zion offers 190 miles per charge, plus 70 miles per week.
While these numbers are low compared to electric cars in the US, they may be good enough to drive in Europe. In addition to SEV's standard offerings, the Sion is designed with a two-way charger that can power your home and appliances in an emergency, or help charge other electric vehicles.
- ConsumerAffairs editors rely primarily on original research from government data, industry experts and other authoritative publications to inform their work. To learn more about our site's content, visit our FAQ page. Authentic sources for this article:
- Sono Motors, "Zion". Accessed 26 January 2023.
- Aptera Motors Corporation, "Frequently Asked Questions", accessed January 26, 2023.
- Aptera Motors Corporation, "Vehicle". Accessed 26 January 2023.
- Toyota, "Ready to perform. 2023 Toyota Prius Prime revealed. Arrives January 26, 2023."
- Fisker Inc, "Ocean". Accessed 26 January 2023.
- Hyundai Motor Group, "Sonata Hybrid's Sunroof." Accessed 26 January 2023.
- Electroc, “The future of solar electric cars looks bleak. The light year falls, Zion fights for her life, Aptera on the brink. Accessed 26 January 2023.
- US Department of Energy, "Electric Vehicle Emissions." Accessed 26 January 2023.
- The US Department of Energy asked: "How do you make all-electric cars work?" Accessed 26 January 2023.
