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).
Read the full story on RenewEconomy’s electric vehicle-dedicated site, The Driven…
You can also sign up to TheDriven’s regular, and free, newsletter here.
Renewables gentailer adds new mid-sized solar and battery project to its growing portfolio of assets,…
Investigations are underway into the cause of a fatal accident that claimed the lives of…
The installation of more than 250,000 discounted batteries is an extraordinary result, delivering around 6.2…
A mammoth proposed 70 GW wind, solar and hydrogen hub has enough "offtake interest" in…
Squadron Energy says 35 of 69 turbine foundations are complete at Uungala wind farm, taking…
In more than half of US states, Republican and Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation that…