Nissan helps make Ariya SUV go further with solar panel concept

Nissan is exploring new ways into making EVs more efficient with a solar-powered version of its Ariya SUV.

The Ariya solar-powered concept has been developed by the Japanese firm’s engineers in Dubai and its planning team in Barcelona to demonstrate Nissan’s goal of becoming a carbon neutral company by 2050.

The concept Ariya features 3.8 square metres of high-efficiency photovoltaic panels on its bonnet, tailgate and roof. These glass-based panels can convert sunlight into rapid DC power, which is managed through an advanced control system within the vehicle to reduce the need to stop and charge at the plug.

Nissan claims that these solar panels on the car can add up to 23 km of range per day in the right weather conditions, while a two-hour, 80-km journey can produce up to 0.5 kWh of clean energy, and can add up to 3 km of free zero-emission range on the car.

Shunsuke Shigemoto, Nissan’s vice president for its ePowertrain and internal-combustion engines, said: “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.”

The standard Ariya is available with a choice of 63 kWh and 87 kWh battery packs, which Nissan claim can take the car up to 400 km and 530 km, respectively.

The Ariya solar-powered is just a concept for now with no plans to offer the panels on the production car at this stage.