Couple of years ago I did some math and it confirmed my expectations...
To get enough power from PVs you'd need a large car (something like a caravan) completely covered with cells (side panels don't help much so front and back windshields would also need to be covered by PVs when parked).
The car would have to be stripped down of all stuff you take for granted, like power steering, electric windows, air conditioning and even heating.
In moderate climate region you'd get about 30-50 km for entire day of sun bathing.
In urban surrounding you can't get that. The buildings block too much of light.
So, unless better PVs are developed (current consumer cells are about 15-18% efficient) we won't see fully solar powered cars.
Electric motors don't have much room for further development (they are approx 85-95% efficient), but PV could theoretically even triple their output.
Of course if you do have a parking lot that is in the sun, you might lower your consumptions of the from-the-grid power, but I'm not sure you'd be able to go solely on solar.
However, building a tiny (two seat max) car with nothing but wheels, batteries and a solar panel roof might get you going.
|