Europe’s automotive industry is working to reduce vehicle emissions while improving energy efficiency and accelerating the transition to electric mobility. But electrification is only part of the equation: vehicles can also generate renewable electricity themselves.
Vehicle-Integrated Photovoltaics (VIPV) makes this possible by using the available surface of a vehicle to integrate solar cells and generate electricity from solar energy. Whether driving or parked, a vehicle can produce energy that supplements conventional charging and can reduce reliance on grid electricity. The actual gain depends on sunlight conditions, the vehicle and how it is used.
For vehicle manufacturers, VIPV offers an additional lever to improve energy efficiency, alongside advances in batteries, powertrains and aerodynamics.
As the EU reviews its CO₂ emission performance standards for new cars and vans under Regulation (EU) 2019/631, an important question emerges: how can the contribution of on-board solar generation be recognised within the regulatory framework?
In its 2026 position paper, Lightyear outlines the evidence behind VIPV and supports specific amendments to the proposed revision of Regulation (EU) 2019/631 to recognise verified solar generation as a complementary pathway towards transport decarbonisation.
What changes are proposed to EU CO₂ standards, and why do they matter?
Three amendments to the proposed revision of Regulation (EU) 2019/631 aim to establish a framework for recognising verified solar electricity generated on board vehicles as a contribution to transport decarbonisation.
Amendment 255 – Recognising on-board renewable energy: Introduces a recital recognising VIPV as a pathway for renewable energy generation, referencing the European Commission’s own research.
Amendment 405 – Defining the Solar Electric Vehicle (SEV): Establishes a legal definition of an SEV, a prerequisite for a credit mechanism to apply.
Amendment 730 – Counting verified solar generation: Allows manufacturers to count verified solar generation from EU-made vehicles towards their CO₂ targets from 2028, within the 10% cap provided for in the proposal.
Together, these amendments connect the recognition of solar mobility to a clear regulatory mechanism: establishing the rationale, defining qualifying vehicles and specifying how verified solar generation could count towards manufacturers’ targets.
This could give automotive manufacturers greater clarity when assessing investment in vehicle-integrated photovoltaics, while supporting Europe’s transition towards more energy-efficient mobility.
These are proposed amendments and remain subject to the EU legislative process; they have not yet been adopted.
Why is VIPV an opportunity for Europe?
Vehicle-Integrated Photovoltaics brings together solar technology, automotive engineering, power electronics and advanced manufacturing. For Europe, it represents an opportunity to build on its expertise in clean mobility, strengthen industrial competitiveness and reduce pressure on electricity infrastructure as electric vehicle adoption grows.
The European Commission’s SolarMoves study provides evidence of this potential. Combining simulation, techno-economic assessment and field testing across more than 1.2 million kilometres of European driving data, the study assessed solar technologies across passenger cars, vans, buses and trucks.
Its findings highlight several potential benefits:
Up to 50% of annual vehicle energy supplied by solar in Southern Europe, and approximately 35% in Central Europe, under specific driving and usage conditions.
Up to 76% reduction in charging frequency, depending on location, vehicle use and climate.
Up to 27 TWh of avoided EU grid electricity demand per year by 2030, when VIPV is combined with other vehicle efficiency measures.
20–25% potential reduction in local grid infrastructure investments under the scenarios assessed.
The study also included a Lightyear 0 demonstration vehicle in the Netherlands. During the measurement campaign, approximately 40% of the distance travelled was powered by solar energy. This is the result observed for this vehicle during the campaign, not a guaranteed performance for every vehicle or set of conditions.
These findings show how VIPV can contribute to more energy-efficient mobility while supporting Europe’s clean technology ecosystem. Recognising this contribution could help create a clearer framework for investment and innovation across the European automotive and solar industries.
Discover Lightyear’s position on solar mobility
Supported by ASOM (Alliance for Solar Mobility) and other industry stakeholders, Lightyear’s position paper explains the evidence behind VIPV, its potential contribution to European mobility and the proposed regulatory amendments.
Explore the full position paper for the supporting evidence, regulatory proposals and rationale behind Lightyear’s position.
Read the position paper: Vehicle-Integrated Photovoltaics (VIPV) in EU CO₂ Standards (PDF)