This Toyota Prius May Not Require Any Refueling, Charging Ever

From the get-go, solar cells and battery-electric vehicles seem like a match made in heaven: you park a car out in the sun, and it gets charged; it lessens the need to put up too much charging infrastructure, benefiting people who have an 8 to 5 job. Thankfully, Toyota’s now putting that on a trial run with their Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle.

Stemming from a project with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization or NEDO, Toyota decked out a Prius Plug-in Hybrid with high-efficiency solar cells from Sharp. Despite its colorful paint job, it’s easy to spot that any area that directly faces the sun—roof, hood, rear hatch door is covered in solar cells.

What actually makes this application unique is the amount of power it generates. Previously, Toyota has put in solar cells on its Prius PHV and its efficiency is at 22.5 percent, generating about 180 watts or 6.1 kilometers of cruising range. In comparison, these new Sharp high-efficiency solar cells have more than 34 percent efficiency and generate 860 watts or 4.8 times higher than the current setup. Best of all, it boosts cruising range whether being driven (by 56.3 kilometers) or parked (44.5 kilometers), theoretically removing the need to plug in on a day-to-day basis.

Currently, Toyota will conduct tests in various driving conditions in and around Toyota City in Aichi and in Tokyo. Toyota will then share the results with NEDO and Sharp. Ultimately, the goal is to create a new type of solar battery panel that’ll make it to mass-produced models in the future.

Toyota's Hybrid Electric Vehicles are Going on a Campus Tour

Toyota Motor Philippines started its Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) campus tour series by forging a partnership with MAPUA University’s Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (MME) Department. The first leg of the educational caravan, held at the MAPUA school grounds in Intramuros, Manila, offered both students and faculty a firsthand look on the benefits of HEV technology through a symposium and an all-day test drive activity.

The experiential event coincided with the MME Department’s 79th Anniversary, making the Toyota Prius and Toyota Prius C units the centerpiece of their Engineering Week’s opening day.

During the ceremonial ribbon-cutting with student council leaders, TMP First Vice President Ms. Cristina Arevalo stated: “Our goal is to raise public awareness on the advantages of using HEV technology. There is no better way to start the advocacy than with our future engineers and craftsmen, who will shape our tomorrow.”

Toyota Motor Philippines brought in technical experts from its manufacturing plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna to conduct three sessions of a one-hour symposium discussing the environmental impact of emissions from various energy sources, and how fuel-efficient but powerful hybrids like the Prius contribute to minimizing the automotive industry’s carbon footprint.

A dedicated test drive area also welcomed students for a short route with the Prius C hatchback.

Accompanied by a Toyota technical representative to answer their questions, the test drive activity was enjoyed by almost a hundred student-drivers.

“It’s a real eye-opener for us,” said Paolo Napao, a 3rd Year Manufacturing Engineering student. He is among the first to try out the Prius C and attend the educational seminar afterwards. “You barely notice the engine starting because it’s so quiet, and the self-charging battery makes it very convenient,” he added. Throughout the event, the students were able to break down the concept of synergy between the gas engine and electric motor plus battery of the Prius model.

MAPUA University is currently the first Toyota partner in its series of HEV campus tours, with University of Santo Tomas (UST), and De La Salle University (DLSU) to follow in the coming months.

This TMP effort is aligned with the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, posed by Toyota Motor Corporation President Mr. Akio Toyoda to promote a sustainable approach to the future of mobility.