Solar cars are becoming a reality and paving the way to completely green and autonomous mobility.

Solar cars are gaining momentum

Solar cars are powered by panels mounted on the car body that convert sunlight into electricity and power batteries, providing zero-emissions, low-maintenance driving. While the idea is appealing, their development is hampered by the limited power of the panels, their dependence on weather conditions, and their high cost of production. Such cars are most effective in regions with abundant sunshine and long daylight hours.

The idea of ​​solar transport is not new - the first experiments appeared in the 1950s, and in 1987, international competitions between solar cars began. Today, the leaders are companies like Lightyear from the Netherlands with the Lightyear 0 model, Aptera from the USA, which is preparing a three-wheeler with a huge power reserve, and Sono Motors from Germany, which is developing a budget solar hatchback. Experimental projects also stand out - for example, Stella from Solar Team Eindhoven, which traveled more than 1000 km without recharging thanks to improved panels and a lightweight body.

While mass production of solar cars is not yet a reality, the technology is advancing rapidly. Mercedes is testing solar paint, and solar charging infrastructure for electric vehicles is expanding in India and the US. In the coming years, solar cars could find a niche in sustainable urban mobility, especially in countries with high levels of insolation. For now, they remain a promising but still niche technology that requires optimization, investment, and support from the industry.