Toyota Tests High-Efficiency Solar Roof That Charges EVs While Driving
Toyota and its partners are testing a highly efficient solar cell system for electric vehicles that can recharge the battery while the car is in motion.
Toyota is testing an advanced solar power system for electric vehicles in partnership with Sharp and NEDO. The new prototype solar cells convert energy at an impressive efficiency rate of 34 percent, which represents a massive improvement over the older commercial version's 22.5 percent rating.
Unlike previous iterations, this innovative system charges the primary driving battery while the car is in motion. Engineers achieve this breakthrough using an ultra-thin 0.03 mm solar film that wraps seamlessly around the hood, rear doors, and other body components to maximize surface area.
The technology provides up to 44.5 kilometers of additional range daily while parked and adds 56.3 kilometers of power to both the driving and auxiliary systems while driving. A test vehicle hits the road in Japan later this month to evaluate performance across various weather conditions before a potential commercial rollout.