Solar energy and electric vehicles

Can EVs be solar powered?

The current, wide-ranging benefits to using solar energy increase significantly when paired with an electric vehicle (EV). Harnessing the sun to power your vehicle saves you money, benefits the electric grid, and provides backup power to your home in the future. There are five ways your EV could be solar powered:

Can solar panels power an electric car?

There are several electric cars with solar panels available today — some recharge the smaller 12-volt battery that runs your air conditioning, while others can top you up with a few miles of electric range — but at this time, no commercially available solar panels are capable of fully powering an electric vehicle (EV).

Who makes electric cars with solar panels?

German company Sono Motors, Southern California-based Aptera Motors, and Dutch company Lightyear are all producing electric vehicles with integrated solar panels, which can harness the sun’s power to provide around 15-45 additional miles on a clear day.

Is solar power the future of EV charging infrastructure?

By harnessing the power of the sun, you can also reduce your carbon footprint, save on energy costs, and enjoy the convenience of home charging, all while contributing to the future of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. In essence, the horizon for solar-powered EV charging infrastructure is bright and full of potential.

What are some solar-powered cars?

Another interesting solar-powered car is the Sion, built by Sono Motors. The company claims this is the first commercially-available hybrid solar-electric vehicle. It has a range of up to 160 miles (255 kilometers) and can charge itself using solar power. It is equipped with 248 solar cells that are integrated into its body. The Solo Sion.

Are solar electric cars still viable?

Nearly 70 years ago, the idea of a viable solar car concept was introduced to the world in Chicago, Illinois. While these vehicles started small (literally), they have progressed alongside the sustainable technology segment to a point where scalable solar electric vehicles are closer than ever, but there’s still plenty of room for innovation.