<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Is Toyota developing a purely solar-powered car?]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by sunflower http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/ Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:04:04 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/1 Dishing

A 4 meter solar dish with type III-V pv cells will average 25 kWh(e)/day annual average.

]]> Dishing

A 4 meter solar dish with type III-V pv cells will average 25 kWh(e)/day annual average.

]]> Comment #2 by Delay And Deny http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/ Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:24:55 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/2 Hydrogen Roll


"Democratic Congressman Eric Massa is one of a hundred people across the country driving this new fuel cell powered car."

http://www.wetmtv.com/news/local/story/New-Fuel-Cell-Car/ ...

Riding Shotgun In the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen Car - Part 1

http://gas2.org/2009/01/05/riding-shotgun-in-the-mazda-rx ...

An honest man is always in trouble. --Henry Fool


]]> Hydrogen Roll


"Democratic Congressman Eric Massa is one of a hundred people across the country driving this new fuel cell powered car."

http://www.wetmtv.com/news/local/story/New-Fuel-Cell-Car/ ...

Riding Shotgun In the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen Car - Part 1

http://gas2.org/2009/01/05/riding-shotgun-in-the-mazda-rx ...

An honest man is always in trouble. --Henry Fool


]]> Comment #3 by amazingdrx http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/ Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:39:40 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/3 Hmmm...

How about this Joe?  Solar mirrors along the highway that track the car's roofs and put about 30 suns on them?  Hehey.

And solar carports that concentrate 30 suns on the roof for stationary battery charging.  

You would need the battery storage for clouds and night travel though.  Or an induction strip under the highway, or a backup solid oxide multi-fuel cell/turbine backup generator.  Or all of them together, on a Hypercar.

And a solar PV array that could handle 30 suns, with maybe 50% efficiency?  And some of that miracle silicon airgel insulation to protect the car from the heat.  And liquid cooling for the PV array, that generates extra power.

And Toyota can't seem to make a plain old mass produced plugin hybrid Hypercar yet?  Well I guess they do have a prototype anyway.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin

]]> Hmmm...

How about this Joe?  Solar mirrors along the highway that track the car's roofs and put about 30 suns on them?  Hehey.

And solar carports that concentrate 30 suns on the roof for stationary battery charging.  

You would need the battery storage for clouds and night travel though.  Or an induction strip under the highway, or a backup solid oxide multi-fuel cell/turbine backup generator.  Or all of them together, on a Hypercar.

And a solar PV array that could handle 30 suns, with maybe 50% efficiency?  And some of that miracle silicon airgel insulation to protect the car from the heat.  And liquid cooling for the PV array, that generates extra power.

And Toyota can't seem to make a plain old mass produced plugin hybrid Hypercar yet?  Well I guess they do have a prototype anyway.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin

]]> Comment #4 by biodiversivist http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/ Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:00:48 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/4 You could spend the rest of your life

trying to correct traditional print stories. A comment field makes all the difference and takes over where the editor left off.

In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world

]]> You could spend the rest of your life

trying to correct traditional print stories. A comment field makes all the difference and takes over where the editor left off.

In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world

]]> Comment #5 by mtvyfan http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/ Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:50:14 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/5 I just wish AP would proofread their stories!

I notice so many typos that I thought were being made by my local newspaper. Turns out they were all AP stories. For crying out loud learn English before trying to use it in the newspaper and spell check is there for a reason, USE IT!

"For as long as space endures, and for as long as living beings remain, until then may I too abide, to dispel the misery of the world." - Shantideva

]]> I just wish AP would proofread their stories!

I notice so many typos that I thought were being made by my local newspaper. Turns out they were all AP stories. For crying out loud learn English before trying to use it in the newspaper and spell check is there for a reason, USE IT!

"For as long as space endures, and for as long as living beings remain, until then may I too abide, to dispel the misery of the world." - Shantideva

]]> Comment #6 by greensmart http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/ Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:05:49 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/6 Really?

I mean, I'm all in favor of solar power.  Ultimately, I think it will be the one to go with.  But not for cars.  Solar cars are just a joke; a marketing gimmick that will never work.  Instead of investing millions in a new solar car, why don't they work on the PV technology itself?  ...then license it to others for a nice profit.

GreenSmart Forum

]]> Really?

I mean, I'm all in favor of solar power.  Ultimately, I think it will be the one to go with.  But not for cars.  Solar cars are just a joke; a marketing gimmick that will never work.  Instead of investing millions in a new solar car, why don't they work on the PV technology itself?  ...then license it to others for a nice profit.

GreenSmart Forum

]]> Comment #7 by GreyFlcn http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/ Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:04:51 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/7 Translation Error

Likely a translation error involving the fact that "ALL new Prius's will now have a solar panel"

Catch being it's just a tiny panel, designed to improve the battery life, by topping off the batteries with a trickle charge.

It doesn't actually improve driving range. (Much less drive the whole car entirely)

-David Ahlport

]]> Translation Error

Likely a translation error involving the fact that "ALL new Prius's will now have a solar panel"

Catch being it's just a tiny panel, designed to improve the battery life, by topping off the batteries with a trickle charge.

It doesn't actually improve driving range. (Much less drive the whole car entirely)

-David Ahlport

]]> Comment #8 by amazingdrx http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/ Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:18:11 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/8 Toyota sez

Via Autoblog:


The comparatively low power density of photovoltaic cells severely limits the type of vehicle that could be built and powered this way. Toyota is apparently aware of these limitations and spokesperson Jana Hartline told AllCarsElectric "we're not aware of any such vehicle, planned or otherwise."

However this 962 pound, Prius-like performance, carbon fiber reinfornced plastic vehicle could be powered by solar on the garage, carport, or over a parking lot.


The 1/X features an aerodynamic ultra-lightweight design that maintains the interior space of the Toyota Prius hybrid and is approximately one-third the weight of the Prius. Its low 926-pound curb weight is partially achieved through the use of a light but very strong carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) throughout the body frame.

The aerodynamic shape of the 1/X and unique cabin design result in smaller pillars, allowing passengers more visibility and helping to create a greater sense of openness and freedom with its outer surroundings for driver and passengers. The CFRP material is lighter and stronger than traditional metals, creating a shock-absorbing like structure with cross-sections that help absorb energy during an impact.

The ultra-lightweight stature of the 1/X also helps contribute to a fuel efficiency target that would double that of the Prius and allow the 1/X to operate with an ultra-small hybrid powertrain located under the rear seat. The system combines a home rechargeable plug-in hybrid unit with a small 500cc 0.5-liter flexible-fuel engine that is 1/4th of the total weight of the Prius powertrain. The hybrid plug-in concept is designed to accommodate a lithium-ion battery that would be rechargeable at home. The result is a vehicle with the possibility of traveling over 600 miles on a small four-gallon tank of fuel and achieving the acceleration performance that is equivalent to the Prius.

 

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin






]]> Toyota sez

Via Autoblog:


The comparatively low power density of photovoltaic cells severely limits the type of vehicle that could be built and powered this way. Toyota is apparently aware of these limitations and spokesperson Jana Hartline told AllCarsElectric "we're not aware of any such vehicle, planned or otherwise."

However this 962 pound, Prius-like performance, carbon fiber reinfornced plastic vehicle could be powered by solar on the garage, carport, or over a parking lot.


The 1/X features an aerodynamic ultra-lightweight design that maintains the interior space of the Toyota Prius hybrid and is approximately one-third the weight of the Prius. Its low 926-pound curb weight is partially achieved through the use of a light but very strong carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) throughout the body frame.

The aerodynamic shape of the 1/X and unique cabin design result in smaller pillars, allowing passengers more visibility and helping to create a greater sense of openness and freedom with its outer surroundings for driver and passengers. The CFRP material is lighter and stronger than traditional metals, creating a shock-absorbing like structure with cross-sections that help absorb energy during an impact.

The ultra-lightweight stature of the 1/X also helps contribute to a fuel efficiency target that would double that of the Prius and allow the 1/X to operate with an ultra-small hybrid powertrain located under the rear seat. The system combines a home rechargeable plug-in hybrid unit with a small 500cc 0.5-liter flexible-fuel engine that is 1/4th of the total weight of the Prius powertrain. The hybrid plug-in concept is designed to accommodate a lithium-ion battery that would be rechargeable at home. The result is a vehicle with the possibility of traveling over 600 miles on a small four-gallon tank of fuel and achieving the acceleration performance that is equivalent to the Prius.

 

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin






]]> Comment #9 by GreyFlcn http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/ Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:25:06 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/9 Ahh

That makes more sense.
A solar powered car port.
(Likely net metered, rather than battery storage)

-David Ahlport



]]> Ahh

That makes more sense.
A solar powered car port.
(Likely net metered, rather than battery storage)

-David Ahlport



]]> Comment #10 by amazingdrx http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/ Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:36:47 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Lost-in-translation/10 Yep Dave

There should be enough space to power every plugin hybrid for it's electric miles, just with solar insolation hitting suitably exposed parking lots, garages, and car ports.

3 kwhs per day for these ultralights, ought to power the average daily drive.  If it could be distributed via smart grid and used to recharge at the appropriate time, parked at home, work, school, or shopping, the whole system would work to store it's own energy.

Maybe even storing a surplus for grid backup.

Sunflower's estimate of 25 kwh per day average from a 4 meter dish would indicate that a garage or carport roof would be more than enough with double the area of the dish, due to the lower efficiency.

Maybe 20% of the parking land use, with roof mounted concentrating solar, could power the plugin power for these type of PHEVs.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin

]]> Yep Dave

There should be enough space to power every plugin hybrid for it's electric miles, just with solar insolation hitting suitably exposed parking lots, garages, and car ports.

3 kwhs per day for these ultralights, ought to power the average daily drive.  If it could be distributed via smart grid and used to recharge at the appropriate time, parked at home, work, school, or shopping, the whole system would work to store it's own energy.

Maybe even storing a surplus for grid backup.

Sunflower's estimate of 25 kwh per day average from a 4 meter dish would indicate that a garage or carport roof would be more than enough with double the area of the dish, due to the lower efficiency.

Maybe 20% of the parking land use, with roof mounted concentrating solar, could power the plugin power for these type of PHEVs.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin

]]>