Japanese automaker Nissan is leading a £10 million UK government-backed research project that aims to integrate efficient energy technologies into electric vehicles (EVs) that it hopes will “fundamentally change” how EVs are charged, powered, and experienced, including with integrated solar.
The three-year Smart Use of Integrated Technology for EVs project, also known as Project Suite, is backed by the UK government’s £4 billion DRIVE35 programme and seeks to combine advanced power electronics, AI technology, and renewable energy integration into a single EV.
Some of the technologies Project Suite is looking to advance include on-board solar panels, intelligence charging devices, and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
It says vehicle-integrated tandem solar panels could help drivers travel further on a single charge by topping up the battery while driving or stationary, reducing the need to charge, thereby reducing household energy bills.
Similarly, integrating Intelligent Charging Management System (ICMS) that helps manage a customer’s electrical consumption could also lower energy bills, returning energy back into the grid when an EV is not in use. The same is true for bidirectional Automated Charging Devices (ACD) for vehicle‑to‑grid (V2G) connections.
“This project highlights the strength of UK innovation and marks a significant step towards the next generation of integrated energy technologies for electric vehicles,” said David Moss, senior vice president of research and development for Nissan Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania (AMIEO)
“Through close collaboration with industry and academic partners, we are advancing solutions that lower the cost of ownership, improve efficiency and deliver greater value for customers.
“From enhanced V2G capability to high ‑performance inverters and solar assisted charging, these developments reinforce the UK’s role in building a smarter, more resilient energy ecosystem. Together, we are laying the groundwork for future electrified products and reaffirming our commitment to making electric mobility more accessible, convenient and sustainable for all.”
Oxford PV, a global leader in perovskite PV technology joined Project Suite earlier this year with a view towards integrating solar into EVs based on its pioneering research and industrialisation of perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar technology.
“We are excited to be working with such a strong consortium of automotive and technology partners on the Suite project,” said David Ward, CEO at Oxford PV, speaking in April.
“Perovskite photovoltaics offer a step change in solar performance and open up new possibilities for vehicle integrated solutions. This collaboration allows us to bring our technology leadership to a new class of applications that can deliver real world benefits for electric mobility.”
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