The Solarky sunV – which the Chinese automaker describes as the world’s first “mass-produced solar-powered electric vehicle” – appears to be planned for South Africa…
- Solarky’s sunV seemingly planned for South Africa
- Already available in RHD markets such as Thailand
- Features “extendable” solar panel mounted on roof
Chinese automaker Solarky Mobility Technologies is seemingly keen to launch the Solarky sunV in South Africa, billing this photovoltaic-panel-equipped model as the world’s first “mass-produced solar-powered electric vehicle”.
Established as recently as 2023, Solarky is also known as the Shenzhen Shengqi New Energy Vehicle Technology Company. On its social-media platforms, the company says it “focuses on markets in Southeast Asia and Africa, with established collaborations in Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa and Tanzania”.
Though we’ve yet to unearth any official information about a Solarky collaboration or new-vehicle distribution agreement in Mzansi, we can confirm the Chinese company applied to trademark the “Solarky” badge in South Africa in January 2025. This application was still pending at the time of writing.
In addition, we discovered that Solarky filed to protect the exterior design of the sunV in July 2025 (the month in which the vehicle was revealed), with an official registration taking place in March 2026. In its application, the firm described the model as a “photovoltaic electric vehicle”.
The Solarky sunV hit the market in Thailand in December 2025, before rolling out to fellow right-hand-drive nation Tanzania earlier this year. This small 4-seater EV has also been launched in Indonesia, where it wears the “MAB” badge under a collaboration with Indonesia’s PT Mobil Anak Bangsa (MAB).
So, what do we know about the Solarky sunV? Well, it measures just 3 150 mm long (with a wheelbase of 2 070 mm) and features a rear-mounted electric motor that generates modest outputs of 15 kW and 85 Nm. The vehicle’s top speed is listed as 80 kph, while it offers a claimed 190 mm of ground clearance.
As a pure electric vehicle, the sunV features a 10.2 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack that provides a single-charge range of 151 km (according to the NEDC standard). But the on-board photovoltaic system is ostensibly capable of adding 50 km of “free daily driving”.
Indeed, Solarkey says the sunV’s roof features a 1.6-square-metre solar panel, which is “extendable” to 3.2 square metres. This, according to the company, enables “auxiliary vehicle charging under sunlight”. More local info as we have it…
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Solarky and what is its current status in South Africa?
A: Solarky (also known as the Shenzhen Shengqi New Energy Vehicle Technology Company) is a Chinese automaker established in 2023 that focuses on solar-powered electric vehicles. While no official local distribution agreement has been announced in South Africa, Solarky applied to trademark its brand name locally in January 2025 and officially registered the design patent for its “sunV” model in March 2026.
Q: What are the performance and battery specifications of the Solarky sunV?
A: The ultra-compact, 4-seater sunV measures just 3 150 mm in length and is powered by a rear-mounted electric motor delivering 15 kW of power and 85 Nm of torque, pushing it to a top speed of 80 kph. It features a 10.2 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, which yields a standard electric driving range of 151 km on a full charge (NEDC cycle).
Q: How does the sunV’s solar-charging technology work and what is its real-world benefit?
A: The defining feature of the sunV is its integrated rooftop photovoltaic system. It features a 1.6-square-metre solar panel that can slide open and extend to 3.2 square metres. According to Solarky, this monocrystalline solar array generates enough auxiliary electricity under typical sunny conditions to add up to 50 km of free daily driving range, greatly reducing the need for plug-in charging for short urban commutes.
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