Toyota's solar car prototype

TOKYO // Despite reporting its first operating loss in 70 years, Toyota has begun development work on a car completely powered by solar energy. The company has already exhibited a Prius hybrid featuring a solar roof panel at the Detroit motor show. The panel on the Prius is designed to power the car's ventilation system and will be available as an option on the 2010 model, but it is understood that this new prototype will be developed to be powered entirely by solar energy. Toyota currently uses roof panels on one of its Japanese factories to generate power. The panels help the company reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 740 tonnes a year.