by web@dmin
25 January 2024 
Electric vehicles are the future of the automotive industry. The reason is Africa needs to import fossil fuel, which has doubled in the past several years and continues to rise. There are two major factors; one is fossil fuel that pollutes the environment and lowers the life expectancy of humans in urban areas. Governments and cities see a clear picture and realize that it has become impossible to reduce the emission goal without a transition to electric vehicles.
The Problem
EVs have zero emissions, which can result in a clean and green city. It is also the best way to reduce noise pollution. However, when it comes to sustainability, we need to give a second thought to EVs and Petrol/diesel vehicles. The problem with EVs is they need electricity to charge them. The continuous price hike in electricity by Eskom has become a vital concern for all households.
The Solution
The future of green energy with EVs is bright for the growing environmental awareness, indicating a promising eco-friendly future. It is going to shape the suitable transportation that leads to a green and bright world.
Thanks to abundant sunlight in Africa, which has the power to transform electricity through renewable energy. It is the only way to go further. Otherwise, it would make no sense to shift the vehicle to EVs. On the other hand, it won’t become a sustainable solution for a long time.
In the global market, the purchasing power for EVs took 5 years from 1,00,000 per year to 1 million. In 2023, almost every month, 1 million EVs were sold. It is a remarkable journey of EVs in the automotive industry and it has become possible only because it can charge through 100% renewable energy.
Why are EVs the future?
Everyone talks about EVs as they are the future, but how? Let’s delve into this exciting realm of green energy and its future that supports the automotive industry. With the increasing fossil fuel and electricity usage along with their prices, it becomes necessary to move towards a sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle with a focus on green energy.
In this process, the most thrilling development is the power of electric vehicles through renewable energy. It has become a cherry on the top because, with PV solar power, you save the environment and at the same time you curb the rising electricity bill. Let’s understand the basics, such as EVs and solar power, and how solar charging has become a game changer.
Electric Vehicles (EVs)
An electric vehicle is a car that operates on electricity and with traditional fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel. These vehicles require a battery to store electricity so it can power electric motors to turn the wheels.
Hence, EVs have become eco-friendly vehicles as they produce zero emissions, which contributes to a reduction in reliance on fossil fuels. That’s how the automotive industry has undergone a rapid transformation.
In the competitive market, Tesla, Nissan, Toyota, and Chevrolet become the leading players in expanding their market value with electric vehicles. When everyone embraces green energy, it becomes necessary to ensure the way we power our EVs aligns with eco-friendly practices. Solar power becomes the ideal solution for making sustainable transportation.
Solar Power
The abundant sunlight on the solar panels transforms the heat into electrical energy. Solar power is the best source of renewable energy as it is environmentally friendly and produces electricity without air or water pollution. As the sun continues to shine, it is making a sustainable and eco-friendly solution.
Why you should charge your EV with Solar Power
Charging your electric vehicle with solar power offers a range of compelling advantages, such as:
Cost Effective
Charging with solar power is more cost-effective than purchasing gasoline, which leads to long-term savings with no extra cost on electricity as it changes through renewable energy.
Renewable Source
Renewable energy makes a clean and green future as it does not harm the environment and it will remain available as long as the sun continues to shine.
Independence
Solar power provides a level of independence as you don’t need to depend on the grid for electricity. It can be particularly valuable during grid disruption and power outages as solar ensures continuous access to energy.
Eco-friendly
Solar power generation produces no emissions that contribute to a cleaner environment and reduces dependence on fossil fuels.
Consistency
Sunlight is consistent. Hence, solar power throughout the day offers a continuous source of energy for your EV.
How to power your electric car with solar energy
Charging your electric vehicle with solar power is a practical and sustainable choice. You can charge your electric car in the following ways:
Home Solar Panels
You can install solar panels at your home to generate electricity through solar power for EV charging and other appliances. The excess electricity produced in a day can be stored in a battery system for later use and sent back to the grid, which contributes to overall energy sustainability. If you store electricity in the battery, you can charge your EV at your convenience so if you have an electric car, battery installation is a preferable choice.
Public Solar Charging Stations
There are various public solar charging stations in Africa, typically located in parks, shopping centers, public parking lots, and many more. These stations embrace solar power to charge electric vehicles and provide an eco-friendly and accessible option for EV owners.
Portable Solar Panels
If you like traveling, then charging on the go is the best way. These portable panels are designed especially for cars with compact size, lightweight, and easy to carry, becoming a suitable choice for camping, long trips, and other outdoor activities. It can be directly connected to an EV or used to charge a portable power station that can later charge your EV when needed.
With these three alternative and feasible solutions, owners can take advantage of solar power while contributing to a green and sustainable transportation future. Whether at home, in public spaces, or on the move, charging your EV with solar energy aligns with environmental conservation and reduces dependence on traditional energy sources.
Conclusion
Solar panels are making a significant move in the road in the automotive industry and transforming with a range of advantages over traditional gasoline-powered cars. The key benefits are reduced fuel costs, increased eco-friendliness, and an extended range to charge the vehicle at your convenience, with battery or on the go.
Although solar power is still at the early stage of development, it is going to advance the technology, and engineers are expected to propel it into mainstream adoption in the coming years. Additionally, the auto industry is going to achieve major milestones and explore innovative ways to harness the power of the sun. Solar power energy makes a revolution for sustainable and energy-efficient transportation solutions.
