Nissan Unveils Solar-Powered Ariya EV Concept With Integrated Roof Panels - Details

Nissan has showcased a completely new and interesting idea for the future of electric vehicles by unveiling a solar-powered version of its Ariya electric SUV. Revealed on the occasion of Clean Energy Day, this concept focuses on using sunlight to generate electricity directly on the vehicle. However, this is not a production-ready model yet, it highlights how electric cars could become more practical and convenient in the years to come.

Finding a charging station, waiting for the battery to fill up or planning trips around charging points can be inconvenient. Nissan’s solar-powered Ariya concept tries to ease this problem by allowing the vehicle to produce some of its own power.

The concept uses a solar-panel system spread across the hood, roof and tailgate, which covers a total area of 3.8 square metres. These panels use high-efficiency photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into direct current electricity with an onboard controller then manages this energy and sends it into the vehicle’s

electrical system, which helps support the battery and reduce overall power consumption from external chargers.

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Nissan has also shared test results to explain how useful this system can be in real-world conditions, like in ideal sunny weather, the solar panels can add up to 23 km of driving range in a single day. In Barcelona, average daily gains were around 17.5 km. Even in cities with less sunlight, such as London, the system managed an average of about 10 km per day over a full year. In New Delhi, daily gains were measured at around 18 km, while Dubai recorded close to 13.2 kilometres per day.

Over time, these small daily gains can add up as Nissan estimates that charging frequency could be reduced by up to 65 percent, depending on how the vehicle is used. During a two-hour drive of roughly 80 km, the system can generate around 0.5 kWh of electricity, which translates to around 2 kms of extra range.

The project was developed by Nissan’s Advanced Product Planning team in Dubai and its Powertrain Planning team in Barcelona. This solar-panel technology was supplied by Lightyear, which is a company that specialises in solar-assisted electric vehicles.

Nissan says this concept supports its long-term goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. While there is no confirmation yet on whether this technology will reach production models, the solar-powered Ariya offers a clear look at how future electric vehicles could become cleaner, smarter and more independent.