Optimizing Electric Vehicle Range through Integrating Rooftop Photovoltaic Cells on Parking Vehicles in Nepal’s Condition

Abstract

The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Nepal is currently hindered by range anxiety and a nascent charging infrastructure characterized by significant grid dependency and hour-long queues at charging stations. This study investigates the technical feasibility of extending EV range by integrating rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems, focusing on the energy harvesting potential during parking periods in localized conditions. A high fidelity solar-assisted EV model was developed using MATLAB/Simulink, incorporating a monocrystalline PV array, a Perturb and Observe (P&O) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller, and a 40 kWh Lithium-ion battery system. Localized solar irradiance data was utilized to drive the simulation. The results demonstrate that a 5-hour parking period in peak sunlight increases the battery state of charge (SOC) from an initial 50% to an analytical peak of 70.3%. This 20.3% SOC gain corresponds to a range extension from 175 km to 235 km representing a 60 km boost in range. The model was validated against local market data, yielding a minimal validation error of 3.34%. This study provides a localized modeling approach and contributes to sustainable transportation solutions by promoting renewable energy use in EV systems. The findings support the potential of solar-assisted EVs as a practical and environmentally friendly option in Nepal.