Solar car technology companies

Which companies are working on solar-powered electric cars?

German startup Sono Motors is also working on a solar-powered electric car. Mercedes-Benz’s Vision EQXX concept includes a solar roof array of 117 cells. And Toyota has promised an optional solar roof for its recently released BZ4X electric SUV.

Where was the first solar car made?

LEFT: A sun-powered car, one of the world’s first, in London in 1960. RIGHT: Aptera Motors CEOs Chris Anthony, left, and Steve Fambro with the three-wheel Aptera solar electric vehicle at the company’s production design facility in San Diego.

Are solar-powered cars available?

Several solar-powered cars are currently available, with others on the horizon. Last year, Hyundai Motor Co. unveiled a hybrid version of its popular Sonata sedan that is equipped with a roof-mounted system. It consists of a solar panel and controller that enable the vehicle to generate and store electricity in a battery.

How much does a solar car cost?

Now, its founders say, the dream can be yours for as little as $25,900. Aptera Motors, a California company whose name comes from the ancient Greek for “wingless,” is rolling out the first mass-produced solar car this year. It’s a three-wheel, ultra-aerodynamic electric vehicle covered in 34 square feet of solar cells.

Could solar power be the solution to electric cars?

Some automotive engineers believe solar power may be the solution. The new Fisker Ocean sport utility vehicle will feature a roof-mounted solar panel. Photo courtesy Fisker Inc. Solar panels can increase the distance that electric vehicles can travel. Photo courtesy Hyundai Motor Co.

Does Lightyear have a solar-powered electric vehicle?

His work has appeared in The New York Daily News and City & State. EV startup Lightyear revealed its first solar-powered electric vehicle, dubbed Lightyear 0, at an event this week in the Netherlands. The vehicle, which Lightyear describes as production-ready, has 388 miles of range, 44 miles of which are derived from solar power alone.