Nissan has unveiled a solar-equipped version of its Nissan Ariya, designed to cut reliance on public charging by generating its own renewable energy.
The concept features 3.8 square metres of integrated solar panels that feed electricity directly into the vehicle’s battery. In ideal conditions, the system can provide up to 14 miles of additional range per day. During a two-hour, 50-mile journey, it can produce 0.5 kWh of clean energy, adding up to 1.8 miles of free, zero-emission driving.
Early long-distance testing, including a 960-mile trip between the Netherlands and Barcelona, suggested the technology could significantly reduce charging frequency. For a commuter covering 3,700 miles per year, annual charging visits could fall from 23 to just eight.
Shunsuke Shigemoto, Nissan’s chief powertrain engineer, said: “The solar-powered Ariya concept embodies Nissan’s belief that innovation and sustainability must move forward hand-in-hand… This concept is not just a technical milestone; it’s a vision of how Nissan intends to lead the next phase of electric mobility.”
Last year, Aptera Motors also revealed a production-ready solar EV, signalling growing interest in on-vehicle energy generation.
