Back in 1955, General Motors engineer William G. Cobb showcased the Sunmobile, a 15-inch-long model car powered by selenium photovoltaic cells – and the fascination with fueling vehicles using sunlight has persisted ever since.
Earlier this year, Nissan marked Clean Energy Day by revealing a Nissan Ariya equipped with solar panels, which, in real-world testing on a sunny day, boosted the EV's range by 14 miles.
The team estimates that in sunny Barcelona, the solar-equipped Ariya could gain a daily average of 11 miles.
Average year-round range increases are projected at 6.3 miles for London, 11.7 miles for New Delhi, and 13.2 miles for Dubai. In certain scenarios, drivers could potentially cut their charging frequency by 35% to 65%.
After initial long-distance testing, which involved a 963-mile trip between the Netherlands and Spain, Nissan's engineers concluded that solar integration could decrease a commuter's yearly visits to charging stations from 23 down to eight.
The Ariya project is a collaboration between Nissan and Dutch solar mobility innovator Lightyear, which provided the next-generation technology used to cover approximately 41 square feet (3.8 square meters) of the Ariya's exterior with custom-made polymer and glass panels.
The Ariya isn't Nissan's only solar power initiative currently in development.
At the 2025 Tokyo Auto Show, Nissan unveiled the Ao-Solar Extender, an ingenious photovoltaic system mounted on the roof of an electric Sakura kei car.
View Price on AmazonRectangular in shape and covering the entire roof, it automatically slides out over the front of the car when parked.
Once extended, the panel also functions as a sunshade over the windshield, helping to keep the cabin temperature down on hot days.
It retracts when the vehicle is about to be driven away or, to prevent damage, when high winds are detected.
The fixed housing for the extendable section is also covered in solar panels, ensuring the system continuously generates energy during daylight hours.
Total generation is approximately 500W, depending on weather conditions, and the unit is engineered to minimize drag and integrate seamlessly with the Sakura's styling when stowed.
The engineering team estimates the system has the potential to generate enough solar electricity to power the average Sakura for 1,860 miles per year.
Analysis of driving data from Sakura owners reveals that many travel only relatively short distances for errands or school commutes.
Based on this, it's estimated that for a substantial number of owners, solar-generated power could eliminate the need for grid charging entirely.
Just another wacky concept? Absolutely not. Nissan has confirmed the Ao-Solar Extender is slated for production at some point in the future.
Source: autocar.co.uk
