Hyundai is launching its first car fitted with a solar roof charging system: the Sonata Hybrid. Its application on this executive sedan will be the first of many Hyundai and Kia vehicles to offer this technology.

The solar roof system includes a structure of silicon solar panels that are mounted on the car’s roof. Being able to charge even while driving, the solar roof system can charge 30 to 60 percent of the battery per day (with 6 hours of charging). Annually, it extends the total travel distance achieved by the Sonata by 1,300 kilometers.

Aside from the solar roof charging system, the Sonata Hybrid is also the first model to have Active Shift Control that optimizes transmission efficiency by using the hybrid’s electric motor to take control of gear shifts, thereby shortening shift times by 30 percent. It will also have the new Smartstream G 2.0 GDi HEV engine, and a digital key function.

Currently, the new Sonata Hybrid is now on sale in Korea and will also expand to the North American market. Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc., the Philippine distributor of Hyundai vehicles has not revealed any plans to sell the all-new Sonata.