IDTechEx reports on business intelligence and market technology. It has now released a report on using smart materials to create self-charging electric cars. Its long term view includes self-charging electric ships and airplanes. The design, if commercially successful could significantly reduce the need for static charging from third party sources.
Solar Cells for Self Charging Electric Cars
The technology should also soften the burden of electric car charging on grid power. This is currently one of the main impediments preventing a mass rollout. Sharp reformatted its 34% conversion cells so as to form an on-board solar battery panel.
Toyota then installed these on the roof, hood, rear hatch and trim on a special Prius PHV electric demo auto. Silence fell as road trials began. Would this turn out to be the first of many self-charging electric cars on our roads? After Toyota tweaked the system it achieved a rated power generation output of around 860 W according to Off Grid Energy Independence.
The Test Car Exceeded Previous Expectations
The special Prius PHV electric demo auto produced 4.8 times more energy than the solar system on the standard model. Moreover, the test car benefited from being able to charge when parked, and while driving through the city and countryside.
Toyota intends to take the project several steps further soon. Trials will shortly begin in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Tokyo, and other areas. It will then use data obtained from solar battery panels and main battery chargers to take self-charging electric cars to the next level.
The biggest take out thus far has been new technology enabling charging the main battery while the auto is moving under power. The solar battery cells are .33 millimeters / .012 inches thin enabling them to follow curves on host vehicles.
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Preview Image: Toyota Prius with Solar Battery Panel
