The Task 17 Fact Sheet on vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (VIPV) outlines how PV technology embedded in vehicles can significantly boost the sustainability of electric transport. VIPV reduces reliance on grid charging by generating clean electricity onboard, cutting CO₂ emissions and enhancing vehicle autonomy. Efficient solar EVs may achieve consumption as low as 9 kWh/100 km, and models like Lightyear 0 can travel up to 4,500 km annually on solar power alone. Cost reductions are driving adoption, with VIPV panel costs projected to fall below $1/Wp, making onboard solar economically competitive. Applications in trucks and buses already show promising returns, and technical advances, including tandem cell efficiencies and flexible panel integration, are paving the way for broader market uptake. The fact sheet emphasizes VIPV’s role in reducing infrastructure needs, its potential across transport modes, and ongoing efforts to optimize system efficiency.
