With more and more people buying electric vehicles (EVs) every year, many have wondered whether they can combine them with another groundbreaking, environmentally friendly technology: solar panels.
For a long time, it was impossible to fully power an EV with solar energy, but that may soon change as several companies introduce vehicles with solar-powered systems.
For a long time, it was impossible to fully power an EV with solar energy, but that may soon change as several companies introduce vehicles with solar-powered systems.
What’s changing?
In November, Toyota announced its next-generation Prius, which includes an option for a solar roof that can charge its battery. While previous models could power the air conditioner , the new model’s solar panel could charge the battery while the car is parked. Although it doesn’t generate much power, it’s enough to drive for a few miles—and it’s free.
Toyota isn’t the only company rethinking its electric vehicles. On 2022, Sono Motors announced a five-seat car called the Sion, which was covered entirely in solar technology that charges the car’s smaller battery from any angle. Although the car was discontinued and the concept was put up for sale earlier this year, the company claimed that solar power could extend the car’s range by 150 miles per week under ideal conditions.
“So this car gives you 5.700 miles a year for free… at no cost, because it comes from the sun. That’s about 15 miles a day, which is perfect for commuters,” Laurin Hahn, co-CEO and co-founder of Sono Motors, told CNBC on 2022.
Lightyear is trying to reinvent electric vehicles by producing cars with five square meters (about 54 square feet) of integrated solar panels on the roof and hood. This solar technology could provide around 500 miles between charges.
Toyota isn’t the only company rethinking its electric vehicles. On 2022, Sono Motors announced a five-seat car called the Sion, which was covered entirely in solar technology that charges the car’s smaller battery from any angle. Although the car was discontinued and the concept was put up for sale earlier this year, the company claimed that solar power could extend the car’s range by 150 miles per week under ideal conditions.
“So this car gives you 5.700 miles a year for free… at no cost, because it comes from the sun. That’s about 15 miles a day, which is perfect for commuters,” Laurin Hahn, co-CEO and co-founder of Sono Motors, told CNBC on 2022.
Lightyear is trying to reinvent electric vehicles by producing cars with five square meters (about 54 square feet) of integrated solar panels on the roof and hood. This solar technology could provide around 500 miles between charges.
Why does it matter?
Although many people have wanted to integrate solar power with electric vehicles, there have been many challenges to making it a reality. The main issue was that solar panels designed to fit on top of a car simply weren’t large or powerful enough to power the whole vehicle, or the cars didn’t have room for a large enough solar collection system.
Consumer demand and scientific advances will lead to more vehicles running on solar-powered systems in the future. Eventually, renewable energy sources such as solar power could revolutionize the EV industry.
What else can we expect in the future?
Beyond cars, solar technology could be used in larger vehicles such as trains or trucks. Sono Motors is piloting solar technology for a range of large vehicles, including buses, refrigerated vehicles, and recreational vehicles.
For trailers with solar roofs, single-digit percentage gains in range or recharge time could add up to huge savings. Overall, integrating solar power with EVs could be a much more economical and greener option.
“More and more manufacturers are beginning to realize that a bigger battery will remain very expensive in the future. So efficiency is really the way to increase range without having to pay for a large battery,” Lex Hoefsloot, CEO of Lightyear, told CNBC.
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Source: Yahoo News
Consumer demand and scientific advances will lead to more vehicles running on solar-powered systems in the future. Eventually, renewable energy sources such as solar power could revolutionize the EV industry.
What else can we expect in the future?
Beyond cars, solar technology could be used in larger vehicles such as trains or trucks. Sono Motors is piloting solar technology for a range of large vehicles, including buses, refrigerated vehicles, and recreational vehicles.
For trailers with solar roofs, single-digit percentage gains in range or recharge time could add up to huge savings. Overall, integrating solar power with EVs could be a much more economical and greener option.
“More and more manufacturers are beginning to realize that a bigger battery will remain very expensive in the future. So efficiency is really the way to increase range without having to pay for a large battery,” Lex Hoefsloot, CEO of Lightyear, told CNBC.
Sign up for our free newsletter for weekly updates on the most impressive innovations that improve our lives and save our planet.
Source: Yahoo News
