Solar-powered vehicles are electric vehicles that use photovoltaic cells to convert energy from sunlight into electricity. These vehicles can store some solar energy in batteries to allow them to run smoothly at night or in the absence of direct sunlight. If used on a large scale, solar-powered vehicles not only help with environmental pollution but also noise pollution.
This synergy is not a new concept. Over a decade ago, Toyota installed an optional solar panel on the Prius hybrid to run an electric fan. Today, many automobile companies are working towards making solar-powered vehicles.
One of the most recent examples is Mercedes-Benz, which debuted the Vision EQXX, a luxury electric vehicle (EV) concept, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January. One of the standout features of Mercedes’s new luxury EV concept is its 117-cell solar panel roof, which charges ancillary systems in the car, allowing for extra range. According to Mercedes, on a day with ideal conditions, the solar roofing can add up to 15 miles (25 km) of range.
Another example is Fisker, a U.S.-based electric carmaker, which offers an option for a solar roof with the Extreme model of its Ocean SUV.
However, despite the benefits they could offer, we’ve yet to see solar-powered EVs taking over. The million-dollar question is, are solar roofs on electric vehicles viable? Or are they just a marketing gimmick to capture your attention?
One of the biggest challenges of automakers is keeping the price of their electric vehicles as cheap as possible to have a competitive edge. The problem is, EV solar roofs are expensive to install — and they don’t make your electric vehicle cheaper.
Another challenge is the efficiency and feasibility of solar panels on cars. The best solar panels right now have an efficiency of between 20% to 25%. Theoretically, if you park a Tesla Model 3 with a high-efficient solar roof under perfect sunlight conditions, it would take 200 hours or 8.3 days to charge its 75-kWh battery to 100%.
According to Fisker, its solar roof can add 1,500 to 2,000 free miles in a year — that’s if you’re in locations with consistent sunlight. Similarly, Hyundai Ioniq 5 comes with a solar roof that adds about 1,242 free miles over a year, which is almost close to the Toyota bZ4X solar panel that can add up to 1,118 free miles over the same period. The free miles can make it cheaper to maintain an EV, but the solar roof is still not enough to completely power your electric vehicle on the move.
Beyond that, Mercedes-Benz is working on an ultra-efficient solar-powered EV that could add up to 15.5 miles of free range per day.
Relevant articles:
– Solar rooftops gain traction as electric vehicles owners look to skip paying for electricity or gasoline: ‘Solar just makes sense’
– Are Solar Roofs The Future For EVs? Here’s What The Experts Say
– Here are the top 8 electric vehicles of 2022 with solar roofs
– The Benefits of Powering Your EV with Solar Energy