With the growing popularity of electric cars, solar-powered vehicles are no longer a far-fetched idea. Indeed, companies are increasingly turning to renewable energy sources to fuel the future of the transportation industry.
While many solar-powered vehicles are still in the early stages of development, there are a number of concept cars that appear to be viable options. The majority of these vehicles feature solar panel on the roof that absorb energy while the car is moving. One unique example of this approach is a 3D-printed vehicle that uses bespoke solar panels on the body of the car to capture the sun's rays from every angle.
While these kinds of hybrid vehicles are in high-demand among consumers, they may also be used by other industries as well. For example, a Uganda-based startup called Kiira Motors Corporation has created a solar-powered bus that could make public transit even more eco-friendly. Another unique use of solar power is exemplified by the MRV100 food cart, which could cut down on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by food trucks.
11 Examples of Solar-Powered Vehicles
11
3D-Printed Solar Cars
Students at NTU Created a Futuristic Car Design with Additive Manufacturing
10
Compact Commuter Helicopters
The Eduardo Galvani Fly Citycopter Plane is Designed for Transit
9
Cartoonish Mini Buses
This Versatile Concept E-Car Has a Range of Technological Features
8
Aerodynamic Solar Cars
The Immortus Sports Car is Capable of Providing Unlimited Range
7
Audacious Car Concepts
The Acabion Da Vinci is Touted as Being the Successor to the Car
6
Solar-Powered Family Cars
The Stella Lux Has a Range of Over 1,000 Kilometers
5
Solar-Powered Buses
The Kayoola is the First Solar Bus Developed In Africa
4
Solar-Powered Electric Boats
The SolarSkiff is Designed to Make Electric Boating More Accessible
3
Solar-Powered E-Vehicles
Hanergy's Innovative E-Vehicles Never Need To Be Plugged In
2
Individual Three-Wheeled Racers
This Student-Designed 3D-Printed Vehicle is a Clever Hybrid
1
Solar-Powered E-Vehicles
The Sunnyclist Features a Rooftop Solar Panel and Pedals For Passengers
Related Ideas
Solar Energy-Capturing Tents
The Jackery LightTent-AIR Has its Own Eco Energy System
Futuristic Supercar Designs
These Bugatti Custom Vehicle Designs by FLYBYARTIST are Rugged
Plane-Inspired Vehicle Designs
This Mercedes-Benz Concept Vehicle by Al Yasid Balances Aesthetics
Solar-Ready Portable Power Banks
The GoSun Power 266 Has a Highly Mobile Design
Transforming Off-Grid Camper Vans
The Vanspeed Evergreen Dream 2 Has a Multifunctional Interior
Road-Legal Flying Vehicles
The 'Switchblade' Tranforms From a Car to Plane in Under 3 Minutes
Origami Travel Solar Panels
Sego Innovations Offers Tech for Powering Farther Off the Grid
Transforming Commuter Vehicles
The Conceptual Audi Vista Roadster by Hyunsik Moon is Shapeshifting
Reconfigurable Travel Pod Vehicles
The PIX Robobus Changes According to Passenger Needs
Road-Ready Dune Buggy Concepts
The Conceptual Fordzilla Hypervan by Keyu Deng Has Glass Doors
Electric Transportation Concepts
Marko Petrovic Balances Utility, Sustainability, and Demand
Hybrid RV Energy Systems
The Cummins Hybrid Energy System Supports Off-Grid Living
Utilitarian Electric Four-Wheel Vehicles
The UTV By Hyundai Delivers a Modern Design Language
Expanding Off-Grid Electric RVs
The Electric Transformer House is Sustainable and Luxurious
Oversized Overlanding Vehicles
The EarthRoamer SX Has a Durable Carbon Fiber Body
All-Electric Camper Vans
The Winnebago eRV2 is Built on the Ford E-Transit Electric Chassis
Off-Grid Exploration Vans
The Conceptual GAC Van Life Autonomous Vehicle is Eco-Friendly
Digital Nomad Concept Cars
This Multipurpose Car Was Envisioned By Students From Skoda
Electric Street Food Bikes
'SmartEbikes' Aims to Disrupt the Street Food Industry with Bikes
Hydrogen-Powered Pickup Trucks
A Hydrogen Fuel Cell Toyota Hilux is Being Developed in the UK
Shapeshifting Interior Electric Vehicles
The Volkswagen Gen.Travel Concept Has a Luxurious Feel
Autonomous Amphibious Vehicle Designs
The CROSSER V1 by Bernardo Pereira is for Coastal Cities
Solar-Powered Blankets
Mireille Steinhage Designs a Ground-Breaking Blanket
Pop-Up Solar Panel Campers
The Ford Transit Custom Nugget Camper Van Has Space for Five
Off-Grid Workspace Vehicles
The Škoda Roadiaq Concept Car is Based on the Enyaq iV
Flying Car Concepts
Alef Aeronautics Comes Closer to Making Flying Cars a Reality with Model-A
Two-Wheeled EV Concepts
The 'SHANE' Two-Wheeled Electric Car Concept Has Space for Five
Nature-Inspired Solar Panel Trees
New World Wind Develops the Aeroleaf Hybrid Technology
Autonomous Timber Transportation Shuttles
The Conceptual 'Timber Shuttle' is Eco-Focused
Electric Glamping Vehicles
Taehyun Kim Designed This Compact Electric Vehicle, Called Haven
Wireless Solar-Powered Lights
Lund University Students Explore the Benefits of Solar Power
Modular Electric Utility Vehicles
This Three-Wheeler Can Be Adapt to Different Work Applications
Emissions-Free Electric Leisure Boats
The GoSun Elcat Solar Electric Boat Has a 1.3kWh Motor
Sleek Electric Concept Vehicles
The Hyundai Concept Luxe Sedan Has Extra Seating in the Boot
Supersonic Aircraft-Inspired EVs
The Conceptual Concorde 20+ Features Aviation Inspiration
Regenerative Fuel Spatial Rovers
Toyoto Designs the New Lunar Cruiser with the JAXA
Rugged Entry-Level Electric SUVs
The Rivian R3 Boasts a Dynamic and Practical Design
Water-Ready Sports Car Concepts
The Citroën Above and Under by Sangheon Chung is Transformative
Self-Closing Smartphone Mounts
The Smart Car Life 'Marvo' Solar Smartphone Charger Streamlines Use
Vehicular Shipping Container Homes
The Conceptual Jeep Container Home Supports Off-Grid Living
Solar-Powered Electric Motorbikes
Solar Scooters' 'E-Clipse 2' Has Free Charging via Solar Power
Sustainable EV Toys
Little Tikes’ Cozy Coupe Aims to Get Families Thinking More Sustainably
Futuristic Auto Micro Factories
Most Architecture Unveils a Modern Factory for Charge Cars
70s-Style Race Cars
The Hyundai N Vision 74 is Expected to Jump from Concept to Real Life
Traditional Vehicle Hydrogen Concepts
Toyota Presents the New Corolla Cross Hydrogen Concept
Zero-Emission Race Cars
Karfidov lab designs the Formula Polestar for the future
Fully Autonomous Crossover SUVs
The Conceptual 'DKM 2.0' by Vladislav Semenov is Futuristic
Portable Hydrogen Stations
Hyperion Announced the 'Hyper:Fuel' Stations for its XP-1 Supercar
Posh Practical Hybrid SUVs
The Honda ZR-V SUV Has a Two-Motor Hybrid System
Hybrid Design Commuter Vehicles
The Robotic City Car by Facundo Castellano is Futuristic
Aerodynamic Electric Sedans
Volkswagen's 'ID.7' Sedan Offers An Impressive Range Of 700 Kilometers
Modular Shipping Trailer Drones
The Hyundai Trailer Drone is Hydrogen-Powered
Bold High-Tech Roadsters
The Chrysler Halcyon Concept is Electric and Fully Autonomous
Immersive Solar-Powered Installations
Marjan van Aubel & Lexus Unveil the 8 Minutes and 20 Seconds
All-Electric Camping SUVs
The Hummer EV EarthCruiser Camper Supports Off-Grid Overlanding
Solar-Powered Water Purifiers
The 'Stil' Water Purifier by Hans Ramzan is Sustainable
Ultra-Futuristic Modern Cars
The Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven EV is Visually Striking
Reimagined EV Van Models
The Conceptual GMC Safari Electric Brings Back a Classic Model
Furniture-Like Solar Panels
The ES 30W Solar Panel Captures Power and Works as a Table
Electric Car Chassis Platforms
The 'Super Board' Reduces the Development Time Of Electric Vehicles
Hydrogen-Powered Vehicle Systems
Layer Designs the Croft System to Sustainably Power Vehicles
Solar-Powered Charging Robots
The Conceptual Solar Mars Bot Provides Power to Charge Up Solutions
Enclosed Electric Tricycles
Carver Electric Created a City-Focused Compact Electric Vehicle
Escapism Electric Vehicle Concepts
The 'Trekker' Concept Vehicle is Imagined for Urbanites in 2030
Electric Solar-Powered Campers
Lightship designs the L1 Trailer with Futuristic Elements
Electric Mini Camper Vans
Vanderer Presents a Look at the New Citroën 2CV Electric Design
Solar-Powered Rail Bus Systems
The RTA in Dubai Presents Plans for Floc Duo Rail System
Bidirectional Charging Electric Vehicles
The Upcoming Volvo EX90 Functions as a Mobile Generator
Sizable Solar Panel Pavilions
V8 Architects & Marjan Van Aubel Studio Build an Installation
Tree-Inspired Solar Panel Systems
The SolarBotanic Energy Tree Works in Public or Private Spaces
Emissions-Free Camper Vans
The Renault Hippie Caviar Motel Supports Travelers
Solar-Powered Autonomous Vehicles
The 'Ada' Autonomous Vehicle Concept is Passively Charged
Gen Z-Targeted Car Concepts
These Toyota bZ Concept Cars Were Debuted at Auto Shanghai
Solar-Powered Electric Boats
This Boat's Batteries are Powered With the Help Of Solar Panels
Solar-Powered Rover Kits
4M's 'Solar Rover Kit' Educates Kids About the Power of Green Science
Modular Electric Vehicle Platforms
The U POWER UP Super Board Supports a Range of Designs
Hydrogen-Powered Concept Vehicles
Yamaha Unveils its Hydrogen-Powered Golf Cart, the 'Drive H2'
Wood-Paneled Electric Vehicles
The 2023 Nissan Ariya Surfwagon Concept is Fully Electric
Functional Bidirectional Chargers
SolarEdge Debuts a New Bidirectional Electric Vehicle Charger
Solar-Powered City Cars
Squad Mobility's SQUAD Car is a CES 2023 Innovation
Energy-Hauling Battery Tankers
This Japanese Tanker Can Transport Surplus Renewable Energy
Wind-Powered Cargo Ships
Mitsubishi Corporation Retrofits Pyxis Ocean for Sustainability Purposes
Autonomous Sailing Research Vessels
The 'Voyager' Can Carry Out Maritime Data Collection
Exceptionally Efficient Solar Cells
These Saudi-Made Solar Cells Use Groundbreaking Materials
Colored Glass Solar Panels
inQs Beautiful Solar Panels Look Like Stain Glass
All-Electric Sleek Fastback Sedans
Volkswagen Presents the ID.7, an Electric Update
Weekend Excursion City Vehicles
The Playbox Urban Mobility Vehicle is Imagined for 2040
Hyper-Speed Charging Electric Vehicles
The Nyobolt Concept EV Powers Up in Just Six-Minutes
User-Friendly Solar Panels
Kunal Girotra Introduces the Sustainable Lunar Energy System
Modular Solar Battery Systems
Anker Unveils the New Solix Home Energy Storage System
Sleek Sustainable EV Concepts
The Opel Experimental EV Concept Has Augmented Projection Technology
Adaptive Interior EV Models
The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric Has a Solarbay Panoramic Roof
Turtle-Inspired Sleek Automobiles
Mercedes Benz Presents a Look at the Vision iMobility
Origami-Inspired Solar Panels
Sego Innovations Develops a New Foldable and Portable Solar Panel
Six-Wheel Drive Concept EVs
The Land AIrcraft Carrier by XPENG AEROHY is Made for Exploration
Retro-Futuristic Electric SUVs
KIA Reveals Its Retro-Futuristic Designed All-Electric EV9 SUV
Sustainable Portable Solar Generators
BLUETTI Presents its New Battery-Powered Solar Generators
Zero-Emission Solar-Powered Aircrafts
The Falcon Horizon by Laszlo Nemeth Runs on Solar Power
Hydrogen-Powered Concept Bikes
A Team of Designers Created a Futuristic Hydrogen Bike Concept
Sunlight-Mimicking Panelled Lamps
The New Sunne Lamp by Sunne is Powered by Solar Energy
Electric Limited-Edition Vehicles
Fisker Inc Unveils the New Ambitious Ocean Extreme Vehicle
Hybrid Propulsion Catamarans
The Sunreef Zero Cat Has Hydrogen and Electric Propulsion
Disaster-Prepared Electric Vans
Japanese Automaker HW Electro Unveils a Solar-Powered Electric Van
Range-Boosting Aerodynamic Systems
Hyundai's 'Active Air Skirts' Increase the Efficiency Of EVs
Alternative Copper Solar Panels
SunDrive is Creating Solar Panels with No Silver Included
Updated Sustainable API Features
Google Adds New Features to its Ingenious Project Sunroof
Solar-Powered Food Trucks
Planted Unveiled a Sustainable Food Truck for a Tour Across the UK
E-Bike Charging Partnerships
BikeFlex Partnered with Solarcycle on Renewable Bike Charging
Battery-Powered Food Trucks
Food Trucks are Replacing Dirty Generators with Clean Battery Systems
Petite Solar-Powered EVs
The 'Buggy' is a Micro Vehicle That Offers Comfortably Compact Motoring
Consolidated Photovoltaic Systems
The 'Vitovolt 300' Can Power Homes, Buildings, Vehicles and More
Electrified Retro Sports Cars
The 'Caterham EV Seven' Will Feature An All-Electric Powertrain
Eco-Friendly Cafe Vehicles
This Conceptual Solar-Powered Coffee Truck Operates Anywhere
Solar-Powered Bike Deliveries
IKEA Rolls Out Deliveries in the Netherlands with the SunRider
Two-Seater Solar-Powered Vehicles
Aptera Presents the ‘Launch Edition’ of Its Solar Electric Car
Hydrogen-Powered Campervan Concepts
The 'Gen 2 LCV' Concept Would Offer Zero-Emissions Van Life
Lifestyle Concept Vehicles
Audi Unveiled the 'Activesphere' Concept in a Short Teaser
Thermoregulating Car Cloaks
The 'Janus' Cloak Helps Protect Car Batteries From Temperature Swings
Research-Centric Hydrogen Motorcycles
This Open-Source Two-Wheeler Aims to Encourage Innovation
Powerful All-Electric Solar Trailers
Living Vehicle Designs the 2024 HD Trailer on Solar Power
Floating Solar Power Plants
This French Power Plant Will Deliver Clean Energy to 2,000 Homes
Excess Solar Energy Transitions
Tesla Launches the New Charge on Solar Electric Feature
Lunar Material-Based Solar Cells
Blue Origin Creates Solar Cells that are Made from Lunar Dust
Puzzle-Inspired Electric Minivans
HW Electric Designs a Modular Sustainable Electric Minivan
Luxury Utility Vehicle Concepts
The Pininfarina PURA Vision Concept Imagines the Future
Sustainable Cold Shipping Systems
The Carrier Transicold Solar Charging Systems are Efficient
Nature-Inspired Electric SUVs
Honda Unveils Its New All-Eclectic SUV Dubbed 'The Prologue'
Solar Cell Cycling Paths
These Dutch Cycling Paths Are Sheathed In Photovoltaic Cells
Miniscule Electric SUVs
The 'VF 3' Mini SUV is a Powerfully Compact Vehicle
Electric Super Sport Vehicles
Lamborghini's Upcoming 2024 Urus Features an Electric Drivetrain
Green Energy-Delivering Ships
This Revolutionary Ship Can Deliver Clean Energy to Vessels At Port
All-Electric Medium-Duty Trucks
Volta's Prototype Truck is Designed For Sustainable Hauling
Sleek Futuristic Electric Vehicles
Nissan Unveils a Look at the Max-Out EV Concept Converitible
Heritage Building-Blending Solar Panels
Dyaqua Designs the New Invisible Solar Panels
Energy-Efficient Hybrid Vehicles
These Peugeot Hybrid Vehicles Reduce Fuel Use by 15%
Long-Range Electric Convertibles
Fisker Unveils a Quick Look at its New Ronin Convertible
Solar-Powered Heated Seats
The GoSun Solar Seat Offers Warmth on Cold Days
Safe-Focused Electric SUVs
Volvo's EX90 EV SUV is Described to be the Safest Car Yet by the Brand
AI-Powered Sail Systems
The 'FastRig' System Allows For Efficient Use Of Wind Power
Solar-Powered Vineyard Buildings
This Vineyard's Visitor Center Will Benefit From Solar Arrays