For decades, the idea of a car powered by the sun was considered science fiction, a concept confined to student engineering competitions or the blueprints of engineers passionate about clean energy. Today, however, the technology has matured enough to turn that dream into reality.

A new generation of electric vehicles, designed for ultra-low energy consumption, is emerging. These vehicles promise to generate between 10 to 40 miles (16–64 km) of daily range from sunlight alone. With the advent of the “solar EV,” the automotive industry is on the cusp of a revolutionary shift.

Leading this new wave is Aptera Motors, a startup based in California. Unlike traditional EVs that are heavy and require large batteries and high-powered charging stations, Aptera has taken a minimalist approach: a three-wheeled vehicle with an ultra-light frame, optimal aerodynamic design, and a body almost entirely covered in solar panels.

The Aptera “Launch Edition” showcased at CES this year made a strong impression, demonstrating its ability to travel up to 40 miles (64 km) per day using only solar power. With a full battery, the car boasts a range of around 400 miles, which is comparable to or even surpasses many popular EVs from Tesla or Hyundai. The key difference is that a significant portion of the daily commute can be powered by the sun, drastically reducing dependency on the grid.

This technology isn’t just about solar panels; it’s also about a breakthrough in design efficiency. Aptera’s engineers state the car’s drag coefficient is a mere 0.13, far lower than the 0.23 to 0.29 range of current commercial EVs. This means the car requires less energy to travel the same distance, making every watt of solar power count. In ideal, sunny conditions, owners in places like California or Arizona may go days, or even weeks, without needing to plug in.

While Vietnam is still working to address its EV charging infrastructure challenges, solar EVs offer a different path: energy decentralization. In rural areas with limited public charging infrastructure, these vehicles provide a self-sufficient, sustainable solution. This not only eases the burden on national power grids but also transforms a mode of transportation into a flexible, mobile power plant, contributing to a truly clean and independent mobility model.

Despite the promise, challenges remain. The projected price of around $40,000 for a two-seater car is quite high. Issues of durability for the on-board solar panels and the legal framework for three-wheeled vehicles in many countries also pose significant hurdles for these startups.

Nevertheless, observers believe the solar EV trend is inevitable. As climate change intensifies and pressure to reduce CO2 emissions mounts, any solution that harnesses renewable energy is a major step forward. While traditional EVs are a vast improvement over gasoline cars, they still rely heavily on grid power, a portion of which is generated from fossil fuels. If a substantial part of daily travel can be powered directly by the sun, electric cars will become a truly cleaner form of transportation, significantly reducing their carbon footprint.

Author: Thao Nguyen

In-house Writer at HHT