The solar cars are sustainable vehicle model with no need for refilling and recharging. But solar cars are still not available as commonly as electric or hybrid vehicles. There are multiple reasons why solar cars are not produced, marketed and sold on a large scale yet.
In this guide, we will shed light on the limitations and challenges of solar technology in cars. We will also take a peek into its future in the automobile industry.
Key Reasons Behind the Unavailability of Solar Cars
Solar cars are zero-emission vehicles, but they are not present on the road. There are different aspects that restrict the commercialization of these cars. The following are the mechanical, physical, and climatic reasons which elaborate the unavailability of these cars in the market.
Mechanical Issues
The mechanical limitations are associated with energy generation and storage. Let go through the various limitations in detail.
Limited Battery Capacity
The solar cars we have seen so far use lithium iron phosphate batteries with a 500 mAh motor. This battery can run a single seated, non-commercial car for four hours without the need to recharge. The car can travel from Abu-Dhabi to Dubai and return on a cloudy day. Commercial manufacturing of these batteries cost a fortune, making it infeasible for domestic cars. Moreover, larger storage capacity will also increase the size of the battery that makes it impossible to be installed in a vehicle.
Speed and Range
Solar vehicles are slower when compared to other green cars such as electric or hybrids. While running on the battery it can reach up to 104 to 112 km/h. Normally, the car can continuously travel on a sunny day at a speed of 97km/h.
Energy Conversion
The conversion of solar energy into electric energy also hurdles in making solar cars a new norm. Only 20 to 35% of the total energy absorbed from the sun is converted into electrical energy which causes a significant inefficiency ratio. This inefficiency leads to sluggish engine performance and average car speed.
Physical Limitations
Multiple physical aspects also have an impact on the commercial viability and luxury level of these cars. Here are some reasons that explain why solar cars are still unavailable.
Size and Style
The feasibility of solar vehicles as commercially available cars is still under testing. Most experiments and developments are on racing solar cars. These cars have a compact and aerodynamic shape, which is not suitable for commercial purposes. Very few companies have launched their solar prototypes for domestic use. However, a significant amount of work has to be done on its widespread usage.
Reliability and Durability
Few of the domestic solar cars are equipped with solar cells on the exterior. This design has a higher manufacturing cost and is prone to damage. Moreover, the installation of cells also increases the weight of the vehicle, which reduces engine efficiency. The car also lacks any sort of luxury features (air conditioning, cushioned seats and leg space), which decreases its commercial viability.
Climatic Constraints
Unlike other vehicles, these cars are significantly affected by the climate. Here are the impacts of climate on the car’s performance.
Weather Damage
Dust storms are common in the UAE’s tropical warm climate. The accumulation of dust on the solar cells affects their functionality. The collected dust particles restrict the absorption of sunlight, resulting in lesser energy generation. On cloudy days, solar cars can use their battery to generate energy. However, the battery life is very limited, so it won’t last more than a few hours.
Nature Friendly
A new debate sparked in the community challenges the sustainability claims of solar panels. The manufacturing of solar panels requires minerals. These minerals are mined from the earth surface, which increases environmental concerns.
Market Competitors
Sustainability and lower carbon footprint are counted as the key solar-powered car benefits. But there are many strong competitors like; electric cars, hybrid and combustion engines. These technologies are more feasible and commercially successful than solar cars. Toyota Prius has a 23% efficiency rate with a strong hybrid engine and fuel economy of 4.4 L/km. Along with this, the difference in price range and performance also explains why solar cars are not widely used.
Will There Be a Mass-produced Solar Car?
Despite all the challenges in solar cars, the mass production of these cars is at the corner. Earlier this year, a California-based startup, Aptera Motors, announced plans to launch their three-wheeler solar car, which is expected to be mass-produced within the next few years.
Key features of this car would be:
- One day charging can fuel up to 65 km
- Aerodynamic shape which reduces air friction
- 0.13 drag coefficient
- Three tyres to reduce rolling friction
- Energy saving interiors
- Can drive up to 240 km in 15 minutes’ charging
Solar Cars in the UAE
Shihab Mohammad bin Solaiman, a student of Petroleum Institute recently won a world competition of ‘Making Things Better’. He designed a solar car that can speed up to 140 km/hour. If you drive at a speed of 70 to 80 km, there is no need to charge it. The car was fully built and assembled in the UAE and is already hailed as a ‘Made in UAE’ vehicle.
Sustainable Hybrid and Electric Cars in the UAE
While commercially available, mass-produced solar cars might take a few more years, other sustainable options like electric and hybrid cars are becoming more and more popular. You can find numerous used cars for sale in the UAE. Some popular options are:
- Used Tesla Model S in the UAE
- Second-hand BMWi3 in the UAE
- Used Hyundai Kona Electric in the UAE
- Second-hand Chevrolet Bolt in the UAE
- Used Porsche Taycan for sale in the UAE
FAQs
Why are solar-powered cars still not widely used or manufactured today?
They are not used widely because of the design and technical limitations. Moreover, the manufacturing process is still not commercialised which increases the cost of production.
Are solar cars currently on the market?
Almost all the solar cars in the UAE are either prototypes or limited edition models. A commercially available solar-powered vehicle hasn’t hit the market yet.
Despite all the limitations present in solar cars, there is hope that they will hit the roads soon. Many market-leading car manufacturers are taking interest in launching sustainable vehicles.
Stay tuned to UAE’s leading auto blog for more information on sustainable vehicles.
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