Nissan's solar roof adds up to 3,000 “free” kilometers per year to electric cars

Nissan is preparing to unveil a useful addition to its electric vehicles. The Japanese automaker has developed a retractable roof with solar cells that serves to increase the driving range.

The prototype was installed on the Sakura model, the most popular small electric car in Japan, and will be officially unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show at the end of October.

The system, called AO-Solar Extender, is mounted on the roof of the car and can be opened to increase the area of the solar panels. In this position, it generates up to 500 W of power, and when closed, this figure is 300 W.

Even in rainy weather, the AO-Solar Extender can generate up to 80 W. According to Nissan engineers, the roof's power is sufficient to provide up to 3,000 km of additional range per year.

The system is capable of recharging the battery both while parked and while driving. Previously, similar solutions were only available in concepts or homemade modifications, but Nissan plans to bring the AO-Solar Extender to the mass market.