Published Paper Details:

The automotive sector is undergoing a significant transformation driven by rising fuel costs, depleting fossil fuel reserves, and evolving global energy policies. Among various sustainable solutions, hybrid and alternative energy technologies, including hydrogen and electric vehicles, are gaining increasing attention. Solar-powered cars, being one of the earliest innovations in renewable-based transportation, continue to offer valuable insights for the expanding electric mobility sector. The integration of telemetry systems in solar race cars has further enhanced the understanding of energy consumption patterns, efficiency optimization, and design improvements, which are equally applicable to modern electric vehicles. Beyond their role in competitions and experimental projects, solar cars provide a foundation for research in areas such as lightweight materials, photovoltaic integration, aerodynamics, and advanced battery management. Despite challenges like limited energy conversion efficiency, dependency on weather conditions, and high initial costs, ongoing advancements in solar panels, energy storage, and power electronics are steadily improving their feasibility for real-world applications. This paper reviews the evolution of solar and electric vehicles, explores their technological progress, and presents an overview of a typical solar car model. The study also highlights future opportunities for solar mobility as a complementary technology to electric vehicles, emphasizing its potential role in achieving cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable transportation systems.