KATHMANDU: Nissan has tested solar panels on a prototype version of its Ariya electric SUV to see how much extra driving range they can provide. While the gains are modest, the company says the technology could reduce charging needs over time.
According to Nissan, the solar-equipped Ariya can add up to 23 km of range per day under strong sunlight. In real-world conditions, the results vary by location. In sunny Dubai, the car can gain up to 21 km per day, while in cloudy London, the gain drops to around 10 km.
During a two-hour, 80 km drive on a sunny day, the solar panels added 0.5 kWh of energy to the battery. This equals nearly 3 km of extra range. Nissan says that over a year, this could reduce charging frequency by 35% to 65%, depending on driving habits and how often the car is parked outdoors.
The prototype was developed with Lightyear, a solar car startup that previously attempted to produce solar-powered vehicles. The Ariya uses about 3.8 square meters of solar panels placed on the hood, roof, and tailgate. These panels send power directly to the battery.
Nissan has no immediate plans to offer solar panels on its production EVs. However, the company says the project helps explore future possibilities.
Nissan’s electric powertrain chief Shunsuke Shigemoto said the idea is to reduce charging dependence and move towards cleaner mobility.
In Japan, Nissan is working on a more practical solution. It has showcased an Ao-Solar Extender for the Sakura kei EV. This roof-mounted solar shade could add up to 3,000 km per year in ideal conditions. Pricing and availability are yet to be announced.
Solar panels on cars make sense in theory, as vehicles spend a lot of time parked outside. Still, most automakers avoid them due to cost and limited energy output. Some EVs, like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Toyota bZ4X, have offered small solar options, but range gains remain limited.
For now, Nissan’s solar Ariya remains an experiment. But it shows that solar-assisted EVs are slowly moving closer to real-world use.
