A Toyota Manufacturing UK-led consortium is conducting a study to assess the feasibility of a lightweight, two-seater electric vehicle that features solar panels, digital connectivity, and eco-friendly materials, reports pv magazine.
The study will focus on developing a last-mile L6e-type micro vehicle, inspired by Toyota’s FT-Me concept introduced earlier this year. Vehicles in the L6e category are compact, four-wheeled models with a top speed of 45 km/h, designed for urban commuting.
As part of the project, Savcor, a Finnish technology firm, will design and test a vehicle-integrated solar panel (VIPV) roof that could increase the driving range by up to 20%, enabling users to drive “for daily use without needing to charge frequently,” according to Toyota Manufacturing UK.
ELM Mobility, a UK-based company that produces a larger L7eCU-type vehicle with a cargo load volume of 4 m², will explore how components can be shared between models. The company said this approach could cut development costs and create production efficiencies through shared designs.
The vehicle will also feature digital connectivity and lightweight, recycled materials to improve sustainability.
The research, led by Toyota’s team in Derby, England, will be supported by the University of Derby, whose experts will study user behaviour and solar energy potential in micro mobility applications.
The partners have secured £15 million ($20 million) in match-funding from the UK Department for Business and Trade, provided through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) under its Collaborative Research and Development program. The initiative supports zero-emission technologies and innovative mobility concepts.
This project adds to growing interest in solar-powered micro vehicles across Europe. The European Giants consortium is developing similar solar-integrated prototypes for various small vehicle classes, while France’s Croisière Verte team demonstrated the potential of solar-equipped compact EVs by driving a modified Citroën Ami across Africa last year.
