Warming to idea of hybrid

Look, the idea is great, but there are so many things working against such an idea hitting mass market right now:
1) As mentioned, surface area isn't great on vehicles and doesn't provide much additional power
2) Converting solar power to DRIVING range is difficult (having solar powering auxiliary systems would be more ideal, and in turn, technically increase range)
3) Cost to develop, test, implement, warranty, etc. a new technology - all of this cost would have to be 'passed on' to buyers, and would make it incredibly expensive.
4) Sales volume does would not support the investment - how many buyers *actually* overland? And of those buyers, how many would cover up the majority of surface area with roof racks?
5) Weight, weight, weight: glass, wiring, additional batteries all add tons of weight. With the focus on emissions (and MPG, to a degree), weight is a HUGE concern.

Now, if Toyota supported an aftermarket, already-available system to be attached to their vehicles for auxiliary power (think: Renogy or Cascadia, etc.)... that could be an idea.

 

I dont disagree, just trying to temper the expectations of folks who think putting solar on the roof will have a meaningful impact on driving range. Probably the most it will do is let overlanders run accessories for a few days without having to run the engine.

 

I agree for overlanding, I don't see that great of an advantage, my portable solar panel is probably a much better solution. How many folks set up camp in the middle of the blazing sun if they don't have to?

 

No argument here. And there is also the consideration of weather.

+1 on portable systems. I homebrewed a setup (click here if your curious on the build) with 90Ah of LFP batteries and 200 watts of solar. ~ 30 lb and cost me less than $500 to build and has more capacity than a $2000 goal zero system. I use it primarily for radio control hobbies, but its also useful for camping and home power outages with a small inverter.

 

nice, I got setup from Ecoflow, and a battery powered cooler/freezer we use when camping, it was awesome only needing ice for my adult evening beverages.

 

Hmmm, my feelings are confused. That prius kinda looks…alright. Alright enough that I could see myself in something like that. The big screens are to much though. And you probably need the whole solar panel to power it lol.

Think of the birds for crying out loud. And ground insects that rely on the sun to get going in the morning. And flowers, and the bees that rely on them. And the trees, especially those tall ones. ….. Jeez, I started out with a sarcastic reply, but solar farms really do kinda tear everything up, dont they. Go figure, there’s no free lunch when we harvest energy, is there?

Very good points from everybody on the “solar panel for range” thought. My expectations have been tempered on that front. I would settle for a 4runner de designed with a flexible architecture that just allows for users to take advantage of solar. Basically, factory solutions to allow owners to plug in solar panels to put juice straight into the vehicle battery. And design that allows for the battery to be easily used for anything (without having to modify anything). Including inverters so you can plug in a mig welder or whatever you want lol.

I like the general idea of using electric to maximize utility and flexibility.

 

Am okay with Gas Powered hybrid but not a fan of Full EVs.
Eventually the power grids would melt down. Since they even try to ration electricity use at peak summer heat usage.

Just my 2c

 

100% of everything we do harms the environment. All of it.

• We build something. Harms.
• We buy something. Harms.
• We drive something. Harms.
• We toss something. Harms.

There is no 'better for the environment'. There is only 'less damaging to the environment.'

But a person worried about solar farms ruining the environment while driving a heavy, gas powered SUV seems is a bit ironic.

 

When the power grid goes down, your ICE vehicle will be useless too.

 

I see these energy installations while driving around California. Not sure which one I like best.

 

Yeah, nothing is as pretty to look at as, well, nothing. All three of those landscapes look better without.

 

But we can put solar panels of roofs of buildings and vehicles, and won’t look as bad.

In 2020, we drove cross country and can into Denver late at night, all the wind mills with lights look wicked cool as we approached them. A few days later when we saw them in the day light, yuck.

Currently, we need to have these large energy fields, but as consumers of the earth’s resources, we need to want and demand better options, if not those with money will still make wheelbarrows of cash while using up the resources.

 

So, because I drive a 4Runner, I am not allowed to want better for our planet? And there was a time when we didn’t destroy the planet for our good, but the populations got to big and forced us to settle down and that’s when we started screwing up this ball we call home.

 

Figure this will stir the EV conversation some more

https://wgme.com/news/nation-world/...electric-vehicles-in-case-of-energy-shortage#

 

Exactly my point earlier. Grid to support Millions/thousands of vehicles plugged in overnight. That's a tall order.

 

I agree, grids are not ready for EVs to be the primary vehicle.

 

US Army is ready, though it's more of a national security issue to ween off of petroleum in their (and our) case, eventually.

https://www.army-technology.com/news/us-army-gm-defense-battery-electric-vehicle/

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/next-generation-abramsx-tank-will-have-hybrid-powerplant