{"id":15264,"date":"2021-08-16T12:13:18","date_gmt":"2021-08-16T12:13:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dubizzle.com\/blog\/cars\/?p=15264"},"modified":"2021-12-24T12:12:14","modified_gmt":"2021-12-24T12:12:14","slug":"solar-cars-not-available","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dubizzle.com\/blog\/cars\/solar-cars-not-available\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Are Solar Cars Still Not Available?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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<\/a>. There are multiple reasons why solar cars are not produced, marketed and sold on a large scale yet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Reasons Behind the Unavailability of Solar Cars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mechanical Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The mechanical limitations are associated with energy generation and storage. Let go through the various limitations in detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Limited Battery Capacity<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Li
Lithium-ion battery used in solar cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Speed and Range<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Energy Conversion<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physical Limitations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Size and Style<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Exterior
Solar car prototypes usually look very different from usual cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Reliability and Durability<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climatic Constraints<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unlike other vehicles, these cars are significantly affected by the climate. Here are the impacts of climate on the car’s performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weather Damage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Dust storms are common in the UAE\u2019s tropical warm <\/a>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\u2019t last more than a few hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nature Friendly<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Market Competitors<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sustainability and lower carbon footprint are counted as the key solar-powered car benefits. But there are many strong competitors like; electric cars<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Charging
EV charging is becoming easier in the UAE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Will There Be a Mass-produced Solar Car?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key features of this car would be: <\/p>\n\n\n\n