Here is the solar panel to place on the roof of the car to put an end to charging anxiety. This device can add up to 2,500 km of range to electric cars.
According to data from Repower Italia, a company that produces electricity, manages networks and is an electricity trader, electric cars currently represent 14% in Europe, while in Italy only 4%. Although there are virtuous examples, such as Norway which in September became the first country in the world wherethe number of electric cars has exceeded that of petrol carsthere are still many efforts to be made for clean mobility. Certainly, the fear of being left with a flat battery doesn’t help, especially in our country, where you may find areas poorly served by charging stations.
To address this, a German company based in Stockdorf is developing a system photovoltaic roof for cars. It’s called EcoPeak and could generate more than 300 kWh of green electricity per year (depending, of course, on the type of car and weather conditions). The idea comes from Webasto, a company that supplies components for automotive companies but has become known for its vehicle-integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) solutions. Just like this device, which covers the roof surface and can extend to the rear window of the vehicle. It features triangular solar cells arranged in a honeycomb pattern.
Sustainability, but also comfort and aesthetics: the cells can, in fact, be positioned very close together to maximize energy production, while the spaces left empty allow natural light to filter into the passenger compartment. Furthermore, the company promises to reduce the weight of the roofing system by up to 40%, thanks to the use of a polycarbonate material obtained from recycled materials and balanced with biomass.
The solution has the potential to provide electric vehicles with an additional range of over 2,000 km per year. However, it is not yet certain whether it will make it to the market. The company has made it known that EcoPeak is still undergoing numerous tests.
Due to its large total surface area, the roof has a significant impact on the vehicle’s overall CO2 footprint. As a market leader in this supplier sector, we therefore consider it our responsibility to offer our customers an alternative to conventional roof systems that perfectly combines sustainability, functionality and aesthetic design. By paying attention to recyclability, we ensure that materials can be recovered and reused efficiently, minimizing waste and extending the lifecycle of resources.
said Jan Henning Mehlfeldt, Member of the Board of Management and Global Head of Roof Systems at Webasto.