Overview
- The Sakura prototype with the roof-mounted Ao-Solar Extender will be displayed at the Japan Mobility Show at Tokyo Big Sight, including in the Tokyo Future Tour City Life zone.
- Nissan cites outputs of up to about 500 watts when the panel is extended, roughly 300 watts when closed during driving, and around 80 watts in rainy conditions.
- The system can charge the vehicle while parked or in motion, and the extended panel shades the windscreen to help lower cabin temperatures and reduce air-conditioning demand.
- Company analysis of Sakura driving patterns indicates many owners make short trips, suggesting some could rely far less on grid charging if they park in the sun regularly.
- The concept began in a 2021 internal idea contest, and Nissan plans a commercial launch with timing to be announced later.