MENU
SEARCHNissan joins several other major brands in testing the charging tech or offering it as an extra
The concept kei car has an extendable extra solar panel for when it's parked for extra power generation, shade.
Nissan
Nissan has entered the quest for solar-powered cars with a concept mounted system it plans for a future commercial launch.
The Japanese automaker follows several other major automakers in either adding solar panels as auxiliary power boosters on selected vehicles or developing concept models to gauge consumer interest. It showcased the Sakura Kei electric vehicle at the Japan Mobility Show held through Sunday in Tokyo.
Miniature kei cars have limited availability in the U.S. due to import safety and emissions restrictions. More than half of states allow them but only in certain scenarios, typically forbidding them on freeways.
In Japan, though, keis are popular for fitting better on tight urban street systems. The Sakura, in fact, has been Nissan’s best-selling EV for three straight years. Many Sakura owners drive them for short errands, the solar power all but eliminating the need for grid charging. Sakura is the Japanese word for cherry blossom, the country's national flower.
The battery-electric concept car sports an extendable solar system on its roof that Nissan says can add up to nearly 1,900 miles of driving range per year. The experiment aims to provide “effortless charging” and reduce electric grid dependence.
The solar feature can charge the car while on the road and parked. It can be extended when the car is parked to add about 500 watts of power generation, according to Nissan, which said the system is designed to reduce drag.
In natural disasters, Nissan said the Sakura can serve as a backup power source.
The automaker originated the solar system innovation from a 2021 in-company “idea contest.”
Fellow Japanese brand Toyota is offering a limited-quantity solar roof option on its 2026 Prius XSE Premium trim. The 185-watt addition can charge the hybrid’s drive battery while parked and powers auxiliary functions while on the road.
The 2020 Hyundai Sonata hybrid car also had a solar roof system to increase driving range, but the South Korean automaker apparently didn’t retain the feature in later years.
Tesla’s Cybertruck, meanwhile, reportedly now has solar-charging capability, according to an owners’ club website. And the U.S. startup Aptera has developed a three-wheeled solar car.
More Americans are open to made-in-China than one might think, especially the youngest, though general awareness here of its growing brands is limited.
Read More →
The overall cars segment was about flat last week, similar to the rest of the wholesale market.
Read More →
Study finds that adopters are true believers and that their satisfaction with the vehicles is growing, including for public charger experience, despite pullback of federal incentives.
Read More →
Electric-vehicle inventory dropped in December, according to S&P Global, but the hybrid market saw about a 19% year-over-year increase in supply despite being down from November.
Read More →
Subaru addition to its sole U.S. plant mirrors the automotive industry’s emphasis on the gas-alternative powertrain after recent setbacks for pure EVs.
Read More →
The year starts with declined expectations for economic conditions and plans to make big purchases. Used cars, though, are among the top big-ticket categories under consideration.
Read More →
The Honda Civic is named the most reliable new car for the money at $27,768 with a predicted 13½ year life span, breaking down to $2,058 annually, or less than half the industry average.
Read More →
A major vehicle research group points out less expensive models that earned high marks for protection, saying the cost is well worth the safety.
Read More →
Could it be an early spring when it comes to used-vehicle sales? Black Book analysts think so based on recent weeks' auction activity.
Read More →
Auto consumers reported greater satisfaction last year despite higher prices and rising tariffs, due to an omnichannel approach blending online and in-person shopping, Cox Automotive research found.
Read More →
