Solar cars: in Tunisia, the sun becomes a free fuel for daily mobility

There's a part of the world where talking about sustainable mobility means confronting a very concrete reality: difficult roads, insufficient infrastructure and energy costs that take a daily toll on people's lives. In this context, solar-powered cars in Tunisia are not a futuristic exercise, but a pragmatic, almost inevitable response to a widespread need.

Here, innovation is not measured by speed or futuristic design, but by the ability to actually operate, day after day, even without charging stations. And it's precisely this observation that has given rise to a project designed to change the way we think about energy and travel.

An idea as simple as it is revolutionary

In much of Africa, the rise of electric cars has come up against an obvious obstacle: the virtual absence of recharging infrastructure. Elsewhere, this limitation has been overcome through public and private investment, but here it calls for a real change of perspective.

Solar cars in Tunisia were born out of this realization. Rather than chasing after Western models that are difficult to reproduce, Bako Motors has chosen to make the most of a resource that's already available, abundant and constant: the sun. The vehicles produced by the company incorporate photovoltaic panels on the roof, capable of transforming every hour of light into real autonomy.

The result is disconcertingly simple. A day in the sun provides up to 50 kilometers of free travel, a distance that covers a major part of daily urban commuting. On an annual basis, this represents over 17,000 kilometers traveled at no energy cost, with a direct impact on family spending and local activities.

As founder Boubaker Siala explains, the solar cells cover more than half the vehicle's energy needs. This figure goes far beyond a simple technological innovation: it describes a model of energy independence perfectly suited to contexts where electricity is not always accessible or stable.

In this scenario, Africa is preparing for a major turning point. The market for electric vehicles, still marginal today, is set to grow rapidly over the next few years, reaching a value of several billion dollars. Solar cars could well be the decisive link in making this transition truly inclusive.

Affordable prices, local production and a concrete industrial vision

The most interesting aspect of solar cars in Tunisia is their affordability. These are not prototypes reserved for the privileged few, but vehicles already in production, designed to fit into the daily lives of citizens and workers.

The B-Van, for example, is a utility vehicle designed for urban deliveries and small business activities. It can carry a load of up to 360 kilos and has a total range of over 160 miles (almost 250km). It circulates between markets, stalls and busy streets, adapting to lively settings such as Sidi Bou Saïd, where tradition and daily life are closely intertwined.

Alongside it is the Bee, a small, simple and functional two-seater designed for city travel. The price is one of its most significant assets: around $6,200, while the B-Van is around $8,500. Amounts that make these vehicles accessible to a much wider public than the standards of the global electric market.

Performance is not intended to rival that of the fastest combustion-powered cars. The priority is elsewhere: to guarantee reliability, reduce costs and offer a concrete solution to those who use their vehicles every day for work or commuting. With this in mind, a moderate speed becomes a perfectly acceptable compromise.

One of the key elements of the project concerns production. Around 40% of the materials used come directly from Africa, including lithium-iron-phosphate batteries and steel. This choice strengthens the local economy and contributes to building a more autonomous industry, less dependent on imports.

From an industrial point of view, the most complex phase has already been reached. The plants are ready and the objective is clear: to produce 8,000 vehicles, initially for the African market, before exporting to Europe. The potential is immense. The African market could absorb up to 1 million vehicles a year, and Bako Motors intends to capture a significant share of this, between 5% and 10%.

Source : Bako Motors

(©GreenMe.it 2026/Managing editor: Malvina Parker - The Global Nature/Picture: Simon Maisch via Unsplash)