It seems like even a small solar panel on the roof of an electric car would make a lot of sense. When you’re sitting at work for 8 hours, your car can just soak up some sun. I’m assuming there is some sort of problem related to cost, rather than efficiency, but I can’t figure it out.
Edit: Thanks for the help. It makes a lot of sense now. I appreciate the in-depth answers too.
In: Engineering
For the same reason that most people don’t drive round with an extra Jerry can of gas in the back of their cars. It just wouldn’t help much, and is unnecessary.
Solar panels actually kinda suck is why. The amount of energy they generate is pretty small for how large they have to be. They are OK when you can pave a huge field with them, but on top of a car, they would generate less than a kwh per day, which is like 6 cents worth of electricity.
The answer is, it’s not worth it.
I wish they would though!
Get stranded in an EV, eventually the car is charged. Also, a small bonus on charging or range for the life of the car.
Everything everyone is saying here is true—in the context of currently-available EVs.
However, Aptera (https://www.aptera.us/) is developing a car lightweight and streamlined enough that it can in fact draw meaningful range from embedded solar panels. They have prototypes and are taking orders.
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