Hyundai introduces solar roof charging

Hyundai has revealed a new solar roof system that is said to be capable of returning 60 per cent charge to a car’s battery.

It will make its debut on the global market Sonata Hybrid — a car not available in the UK — though it will shortly be rolled out across a number of electrified cars from the South Korean firm.

Based on a structure of silicon solar panels that are mounted on top of a car’s roof, the system is said to be capable of charging the car in all states — be that parked or driving. It’s said drivers will be capable of an extra 808 miles annually of electric-only travel in a car with this technology.

Heui Won Yang, Hyundai Motor Group senior vice president and head of Body Tech Unit, said: “Solar roof technology is a good example of how Hyundai Motor is moving towards becoming a clean mobility provider. The technology allows our customers to actively tackle emissions issue. We are striving to further expand the application of the technology beyond eco-friendly vehicle line up to vehicles with internal combustion engine.”

Though a first for Hyundai, solar roof charging is no new feature to the industry. Toyota currently offers the technology on its Prius plug-in hybrid, while the low-volume Fisker Karma deployed a similar system back in 2011.

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