Toyota’s Solar-powered Car
About six months ago, we reported that Toyota was planning on putting solar panels on the Prius to power the air-conditioner. It has been recently been released that the famed Japanese motor company plans to release a car that is completely solar-powered.
As you can see on the photo, the solar panels are on the roof like solar panels of a house. This is only one way the car gets its power, as the company wants to supplement power by somehow attaching the car to the solar panels on the roofs of homes. This way, a car can be powered in a garage or parked outside.
Toyota is actually quite ahead of the solar power game. Their company in central Japan has solar panels on the roof that are equivalent in area to sixty tennis courts, and can produce enough energy to power 500 homes. That is enough annual savings for 740 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, which is equal to using 1,500 barrels of crude oil.
So is this the dawning of the age of the solar car? I used to think that a solar car was a useless invention, as most people drive at night. However, if it is possible to charge a car with solar power, then I guess we’d power our car in a manner similar to solar-powered cell phone chargers.
Originally, Toyota said that it would have the solar panels on the Prius by Spring 2009. However, a car that is entirely solar powered will take years of development, so we don’t know exactly when we will see Toyota’s solar car. I’m sure you will agree that it is a step in the right direction for a greener world.
Join 22 reviews or comments
Total Solar Energy Says: January 8, 2009 at 1:50 pm
I think these solar cars will be overtaken by the hydrogen ones. I watched a programme on them the other night and was very impressed with them
ed Says: January 9, 2009 at 5:38 am
I think this technology will be applied to all car to help reduce air pollution
Chevy Transmissions Says: May 21, 2009 at 4:28 pm
You know, they only problem I see with these cars is that they won’t be affordable. I love the idea of having solar powered air conditioning, but it is pricey! Mass producing these kinds of cars and making them AFFORDABLE will be the key to solving the carbon emission issue.
-Luke
Toyota Solar powered Car Coolest Gadgets | Shed Kits Says: May 26, 2009 at 11:11 pm
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Jon Says: June 5, 2009 at 7:31 am
I would love a car that runs on solar power. But if we all ran our cars on Solar power, how would our Governments collect taxes?
surely they would hit us with a tax from another angle!
Glen Says: August 30, 2009 at 10:16 am
How would our Governments collect taxes? Amounts collected from gas taxes is going down because of more and more fuel efficient cars on the market the government is talking about installing gps into all cars and taxing us per every mile we drive. So even of we have an all solar powered car we still would be taxed.
Used Solar Panel Says: November 9, 2009 at 2:22 am
Solar Panels are definitely the future of energy, and it’s wise for people to jump into having them. The sooner the better than waiting around because solar energy helps save you a lot of money on your electric bills every month.
Conversion Vans Says: November 22, 2009 at 12:48 pm
The technology to power simple cooling systems (fans)to keep cars cooler in the summer sun has been around for awhile. But while it makes sense the upgrade cost is astronomically expensive compared to the benefits. So while this may make sense it will probably cost so much that the average buyer chooses not to include it. A lot of green technologies are not used because they cost too much.
IT Support London Says: January 13, 2010 at 4:49 pm
The only trouble with solar is it’s soooo expensive. Will this make the car more expensive. In an ideal world if money was no object this would be perfect but unfortunately, were in a world where we break the world and fix it later. I think at present – people are still out for a bargain.
IT Support in London Says: August 25, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Great idea but in places like UK we dont often see the sun. However like others have said I wouldnt look forward to new TAX rules that would apply.
Peter@ Ford Pickup trucks Says: November 2, 2010 at 10:01 pm
that will be so good for the future..because ,today people polluting the atmosphere .. this will be so good.. but that will be too expensive ..maybee
peterbilt trucks Says: November 19, 2010 at 10:19 pm
I just love the car which runs on solar power. its good way to stop pollution…
steve@Used Cars Says: December 3, 2010 at 10:26 am
It is a great stuff to use solar energy to run AC as it will improve the mileage of prius even more …
j.w. Says: December 6, 2010 at 10:37 am
this is vaporware. move along.
Steve Says: February 16, 2011 at 9:37 pm
It makes sense the upgrade cost is astronomically expensive compared to the benefits. So while this may make sense it will probably cost so much that the average buyer chooses not to include it. I love the idea of having solar powered air conditioning, but it is pricey. Thank you.
sarah Says: March 30, 2011 at 9:38 pm
Great post! and i agree this will be good for the future,It is a great stuff to use solar energy , thanks for sharing….
Vancouver Dodge Says: July 6, 2011 at 9:27 pm
This is the car that I have been waiting for. We all know that gasoline cars are one of the biggest contributors in the world’s carbon emissions. Most companies have invented electric vehicles, but electricity is not exactly cheap. Utilizing the power of the sun is a very feasible idea and car owners would save a big amount of money wasted to pay for gasoline or electricity. I hope they could mass produce this vehicle. All for the best Toyota!
vernon ford Says: July 15, 2011 at 4:11 am
Wow. the only problem is if something hits the solar panels from above. and aside from solar panels i guess the car also have a cord to plug to charge it externally when needed.
Eastside Dodge Says: July 19, 2011 at 11:09 pm
One of the most powerful source of energy on earth is the sun. It’s high time for us to harness it. Toyota does commendable step here. I hope they will push through with the project.
1 Solar Sheffield Says: September 19, 2011 at 10:54 am
So is this the dawning of the age of the solar car? I used to think that a solar car was a useless invention, as most people drive at night.
Hyundai Dealer Says: October 26, 2011 at 6:20 pm
I love the idea of solar powered cars! Indeed why not use the renewable and available source of power from the sun. This concept is very viable in tropical countries where the sun is always up and shining.
Evan Says: January 5, 2009 at 6:20 pm
I really hope Toyota gets this technology up and running quickly. It seems like I hear about all these new Technology coming about but never see them used.