Solar cars: the next big thing in green transportation?

The electric vehicle boom is here as major automakers and many new startups launch a wide range of electric vehicle models and consumer interest continues to grow. This has been largely encouraged by government pressure to shift away from fossil fuels to green alternatives, with some countries introducing a ban on the sale of new vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICEs) for the next 15 years. However, while the battery electric vehicle sector is growing, other green vehicle technologies are lagging behind, including hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and solar electric vehicles. Research teams around the globe are trying to crack the code to deliver solar-powered cars, with varying success and little hope of a commercial launch anytime soon.

Some companies now offer solar panels as an add-on for battery electric vehicles rather than as a stand-alone charging method. Toyota previously offered a sunroof as a $600 optional extra on the Prius Prime, but few consumers seemed interested in picking up the feature. Industry experts believe this is largely due to the consumer’s lack of familiarity with the technology. Some suggest that incorporating solar panels into battery EVs could allow users to substantially reduce the time between charges. While the development of fully solar-powered cars may not be possible today, solar panels can provide a significant boost to battery electric vehicles.

When it comes to fully solar powered vehicles, progress is slow due to a wide range of challenges. Solar electric vehicles have solar panels, known as vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (PV), built into their design. Researchers are looking for the best way to incorporate these panels into vehicles, taking into account the shape of the panel and the car, and using as much space as possible to produce energy by covering the roof, sides and hood with PV. These panels use sunlight to power the car’s engine, while excess energy is stored in the car’s battery. However, this technology is still in its infancy, largely due to cost and technical challenges, with few companies developing fully solar-powered vehicles.

Peter Pudney, Associate Professor of Industrial and Applied Mathematics at the University of South Australia explain“The photovoltaic (photovoltaic) cells used on solar cars are the same as those used for rooftop solar panels, (but) due to the limited space available on a vehicle roof, the cells with the highest efficiency available are normally chosen,” Pudney . say. “Instead of focusing on how to increase the energy generated by photovoltaic cells on cars, we should be looking at how to reduce the energy needed to move people. Using 1 to 2 tons of machinery to move an 80 kilogram person is very inefficient.”

One company developing solar electric vehicles is Dutch firm Lightyear, which claimed in 2022 to have created “the world’s first solar car“. The company launched “Light Year 0” and moved on to “Lightyear 2” development, with consumers having to join a waiting list for the car and prices starting at nearly $53,000. The company promises a range of 500 miles between charges and three times less charging than conventional electric vehicles. It also uses eco-friendly materials in its manufacturing process, such as plant-based leather and fabric from recycled bottles, which it says have half the lifetime emissions of standard electric vehicles.

However, the company faced bankruptcy last year before securing additional funding from investors and decided to halt production on Lightyear 2. It seems that instead of making solar-powered cars, the company may now -offers its expertise and automotive products. industry for electric vehicle manufacturers to incorporate solar panels into conventional battery electric vehicles. Lightyear’s newly elected CEO, Bonna Newman, he stated “Lightyear has demonstrated how highly efficient electric vehicles combined with on-board solar power will accelerate the energy transition and benefit the world…Lightyear has set the stage for a new era of solar-powered mobility. I look forward to working with our amazing team with the automotive industry to ensure that the best in-vehicle solar technology is available to everyone.”

Several major electric vehicle companies are expected to include vehicle-integrated PV as an add-on or as standard in new electric vehicle models to provide consumers with greater range on a single charge. Hyundai, for example, includes a solar roof in its new Sonata Hybrid and is expected to include it in other models in the future. This suggests that automakers are looking to solar power to enhance EV performance rather than replace conventional charging methods. The addition of solar panels could provide between 30 and 60 percent of battery charging through solar power, according to Hyundai, which is very promising for consumers looking for more range from their electric vehicles. As solar panels and EV technology continue to improve, we’re likely to see many more companies offering solar charging options in their electric vehicles.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

More top reads from Oilprice.com