This Solar-Powered Nissan Ariya EV Concept Runs on Sunlight

Nissan has unveiled a new solar-powered concept EV based on the Ariya, featuring up to 3.8 square-metre of solar panels.

Vehicles equipped with solar panels aren’t exactly a new thing, but Nissan has decided to revisit this idea with its latest solar-powered concept based on the Ariya EV crossover. 

Designed to celebrate Clean Energy Day, the Ariya Solar-Powered concept features photovoltaic panels that convert sunlight into DC power on its bonnet, roof, and even on the tailgate, covering a total area of 3.8 square metres.

All the energy absorbed from these solar panels is then fed into the Ariya’s battery pack, with Nissan claiming real-world testing results showing that they can add up to 23 km of extra range to the EV crossover on a sunny day. Even if you park your car in a garage, Nissan says that a two-hour drive on a sunny day could provide up to 3 km of extra range.

That said, Nissan insisted that location plays a huge role in how much solar power this Ariya concept can extract, with recent testing showing that year-round averages could go from as low as 10.2 km per day in less sunny places like London to as high as 21.2 km per day in sunnier locations like Dubai.

While these numbers aren’t enough to outright overtake semi-electrified powertrain technologies like plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and range-extender EVs (EREVs), the automaker said the added range from the solar panels could reduce the charging frequencies between 35% and 65%. Not to mention, these panels also help out in areas where charging infrastructure is scarce.

This new Ariya concept is borne out of Nissan’s collaboration with solar power firm Lightyear, with an aim to provide EV owners with greater freedom and less dependency on chargers.

“By exploring how vehicles can generate their own renewable energy, we are opening the door to new opportunities for customers—greater freedom, reduced charging dependency, and a cleaner future. This concept is not just a technical milestone; it’s a vision of how Nissan intends to lead the next phase of electric mobility,” said Shuksuke Shigemoto, Vice President of ePowertrain & Internal Combustion Engine Powertrain (ICE) for Nissan AMIEO.

As of now, it remains to be seen whether this solar-powered concept could trickle its way down to actual Nissan production models. We’ve already seen samples of solar-powered production models in things like the new Toyota Prius PHEV that features an optional solar panel roof that Toyota claims can add up to 6 km of driving range per day.