The rapid growth of urbanization and the pressing need for sustainable transportation solutions have led to a surge in innovations around electric vehicles (EVs) and smart infrastructure. This paper presents a novel and integrated prototype of a Smart Solar Electric Vehicle (EV) combined with an Intelligent Parking Management System aimed at transforming urban mobility into a cleaner, safer, and more efficient ecosystem. The Smart Solar EV utilizes photovoltaic panels to harness renewable energy, supporting an eco-friendly and zero-emission drive. It features advanced microcontroller- based control through Arduino Uno, motor driver modules, ultrasonic and temperature sensors, and wireless connectivity through Bluetooth. A real-time OLED display offers system diagnostics, including battery level, obstacle detection, and thermal conditions. The Smart Parking System is equipped with IR sensors, an LCD interface with I2C communication, and a servo-controlled automated gate, offering real-time vehicle detection, slot availability, and congestion-free operation. This dual-prototype solution not only promotes pollution-free commuting but also provides a robust foundation for smart city integration. The hardware system is designed to be compatible with various energy inputs (solar, battery, and grid), making it versatile and scalable. As a first-of-its-kind integration with low-cost yet high-efficiency components, this work stands as a benchmark in green mobility and intelligent urban planning.
Debaditya et al. (Wed,) studied this question.