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Nissan has revealed plans to debut a prototype electric vehicle equipped with an advanced onboard solar power generation system at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, set to be held later this month in Tokyo. The innovative system, dubbed the ‘Ao-Solar Extender,’ has been installed on the Nissan Sakura, Japan’s best-selling electric vehicle (EV) for the past three years.
Mechanism
Developed in-house, the Ao-Solar Extender innovation comes with roof-mounted solar panels that enable the Sakura to generate electricity while both in motion and parked, the company said in an official release.
When the vehicle is stationary, an additional panel extends outward from storage, increasing the system’s total capacity to around 500 Watts and creating extra shade for the cabin.
The increased surface area of the solar powered EV aims to maximise solar power generation, which is estimated to provide up to 3,000 km of driving annually for typical users. In addition, the shading also helps lower interior temperatures, reducing reliance on air conditioning and further conserving battery power.
Grid Reliance and Emergency Preparedness
Nissan said that its analysis of Sakura driving data shows that many owners use their vehicle primarily for short errands and school runs. This, the company notes, indicates that solar-generated power could significantly reduce or even eliminate the need for grid-based charging in everyday scenarios.
Additionally, the Ao-Solar Extender can function as an emergency power source during disasters, further enhancing convenience and resilience for users of this solar mobility innovation.