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At first it was just a gimmick for environmentally conscious high earners who were sensitive to heat.
Because when the first vehicle manufacturers integrated solar modules into the sunroofs of their luxury sedans over 20 years ago, they only supplied enough power for the standing fan.
But slowly things are getting serious.
The engineers have known about the free source of energy in the sky well before the Solar World Challenge.
There, universities in particular roll with specially developed solar racing cars using the power of the sun alone.
And that over a distance of 3000 kilometers with cuts in excess of 100 km / h across Australia.
Ever since the struggle for maximum range began with the increasing number of e-car models, they have wanted to tap the energy from above.
Solar energy for cars - gimmick, right?
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This is neither crazy nor gimmicky, says the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg: "In order to achieve a CO2-free energy supply in all sectors, we have to massively promote the expansion of photovoltaics, also beyond house roofs and open spaces", says institute director Andreas Bett.
"In the future, solar modules will be integrated even more into our built-up environment, for example in vehicles." According to studies by the institute, cars with photovoltaics on the roof could provide electricity for more than 2000 kilometers, depending on the size of the usable area and solar radiation Win the route.
In Munich, he met with open ears.
This is where the start-up Sono Motors is based, which is currently developing the Sion and proclaiming the small car as the first self-charging electric car.
When the car comes on the market next year or the year after that at a price of 25,500 euros, almost 250 solar cells will be incorporated into the body, barely visible from afar.
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According to the manufacturer, the Sion can use it to recharge the electricity for up to 35 kilometers a day in good weather.
Otherwise, of course, there is always the socket to charge the battery with 35 kilowatt hours for 255 WLTP kilometers.
And Sono is not alone with this idea.
The sun becomes a range extender in the car
In the Netherlands, another start-up last year presented the much sleeker Lightyear One designed for long-haul routes.
According to the manufacturer, the flat and aerodynamic coupé has five square meters of solar cells on the sheet metal.
Enough for up to 70 additional kilometers a day, the Dutch calculate and want to start sales this year.
However, at just under 180,000 euros for the four-door model with a total range of 725 kilometers, this will be an expensive pleasure.
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Third in the group of sun tankers is the American start-up Aptera.
For several years now, the company has been working on an idiosyncratic tricycle with extremely low air resistance and has now also supplemented its electric drive with solar panels.
With an area of three square meters, the 180 cells are supposed to collect electricity from the sky for almost 20,000 kilometers per year.
Most customers should get through life without stopping at the socket, enthuses company boss Chris Anthony.
The prices for the small car, which is designed like an airplane without wings, should be between 25,000 and 50,000 dollars, depending on the drive and equipment.
Production is slated to begin this year.
They already exist - the solar roofs for the car
However, it is not just newcomers and career changers who swear by the energy of the sun, but also established large-scale manufacturers.
Toyota is now offering the Prius plug-in with a solar roof that has a nominal output of 180 watts and, according to the manufacturer, provides an additional five kilometers of electric travel per day.
With 200 days of sunshine a year, that adds up to more than 1,000 kilometers, the manufacturer calculates.
With an electric range of 50 kilometers, this saves 20 battery charges - even though they are expensive at just under 3000 euros.
Hyundai has also discovered this technology for itself.
It is already built into the American sonata.
And when the Koreans start their new electric brand with the Ioniq 5 in the summer, it is reported that the Stromer will also have a solar roof just like the study 45 in order to achieve a little more range.
Refueling energy for the car almost invisibly
In Japan, Toyota is already experimenting with significantly larger surfaces, and is also mounting the solar panels on the bonnet and trunk lid of the Prius.
However, the prototypes do not look particularly elegant and are therefore likely to sell poorly.
That doesn't have to be the case, they say at the Fraunhofer Institute and proudly refer to a self-developed solar roof.
It can be individually painted in any color, making it almost invisible.
Nevertheless, it should provide 210 watts and thus generate electricity for up to ten kilometers per day in a mid-range vehicle.
The Fraunhofer researchers hope that their stealth design will accelerate series implementation.
Regardless of how powerful and large the solar cells on the car are, they can only contribute to the battery filling if they get enough sun.
And that is not only due to the weather, but also to the parking customs - at least the days of shadow parkers should be over.
Energy from above: solar cells on the roof of a Toyota
Source: dpa-tmn