Nissan has unveiled an electric car with an extendable solar roof that allows it recharge on the road without plugging in.
Named the Ao-Solar Extender, the system has been installed on Japan’s top-selling EV – the Nissan Sakura – and can generate enough solar electricity in a year to power up to 2,900km of driving.
The roof-mounted panel can charge the vehicle both while driving and when parked, but when stationary it extends to get more sun coverage and improve charging speeds. When extended, the power generation potential increases to approximately 500W while also creating shade that helps keep the interior cool. In its retracted state, the panel can generate about 300W in ideal conditions, or 80W during the darkest, rainiest days.
Based on the size of the battery and the panel’s output, it should take anywhere from eight to 13 days to achieve a full charge, depending on conditions. Considering that, the solar panels are more useful to top up the battery than to go long distances on solar...