South Korean carmakers Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors are going one better than creating an EV charging network powered by solar energy – they want their cars to capture their own energy, via solar roof technology – and as soon as next year.
There will be three types of solar cells applied to vehicles made by the South Korean carmakers, the first which could recharge a car’s battery by up to 30 to 60 per cent each day, potentially adding range without a stop at a charging station.
A second-gen semi-transparent system is also being launched, that would act as a “sun roof” – in more ways than one – and also a third-gen version that can be applied to the car bodies.
The plans announced this week will see the solar charging technology introduced into certain models – and not just for the obvious recipients, electric vehicles.
The solar panels would be compatible with not only hybrid and electric vehicles but also pure internal combustion cars, Hyundai stated in a press release.
Developed to support increased energy needs of autonomous technology, the solar charging technology would also assist in reducing CO2 emissions associated with EV chargers using electricity from a grid dominated by coal (such as Australia’s).
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