A vehicle developed by a team of Nissan engineers can be (partially) charged with solar energy. The car has been developed in collaboration with Dutch company Lightyear.
The vehicle is a modified Nissan Ariya equipped with 3.8 square metres of solar panels. These panels convert sunlight into direct current. This makes the vehicle less dependent on external charging points. The panels are integrated into the bonnet, roof and tailgate.
Efficiency and practical application
Tests show that the system generates an average of 17.6 kilometres of extra range daily in a city like Barcelona. During a drive of two hours and 80 kilometres, 0.5 kWh of solar energy was generated, good for about 3 kilometres of extra range.
Under optimal conditions, the system can provide up to 23 kilometres of additional range. Annually, this could provide 10.2 km, 18.9 km and 21.2 km extra daily range in cities like London, New Delhi and Dubai, respectively. Figures for the Netherlands have not been shared.
A test drive of 1,550 kilometres from the Netherlands to Spain was also carried out. Based on this, Nissan reports that the concept:
- It can reduce the number of annual recharges for commuting (6,000 km/year) from 23 to eight.
- Drivers who drive about 12,000 km a year will be able to drive on average 50% longer between recharges.
Image: Nissan
Lightyear
Lightyear is a Dutch company founded in 2016 by former members of Solar Team Eindhoven. The Brabant-based company developed solar cars that generate their own energy thanks to solar panels integrated into the roof. This allows the vehicle to generate much of the required energy itself, making it less dependent on external charging stations.
In early 2023, however, Lightyear appeared to be in financial difficulties. On 23 January 2023, parent company Lightyear filed for suspension of payments. In late January, the operating company Atlas Technologies, which was responsible for producing the electric vehicles, was declared bankrupt.
In October 2023, Lightyear decided to stop producing electric cars and focus on developing solar roofs for other car manufacturers. Nissan's solar concept follows suit.
