Toyota Reveals Quirky New EV Concept With Solar Panels For A Roof

Photos sometimes don't do things justice. You've got to see some things in person. To understand the scale of the newest Toyota EV concept, you'll have to see it in person. Words may be of some help, though. Toyota's FT-Me concept is 98.4 inches long, or approximately half that of a new Camry. In fact, Toyota says the tiny EV is so compact, it'll only take up half a parking space. It's weird, quirky, small, and likely something we won't ever see in the US. However, there are still aspects of this concept that could make American buyers sit up and take notice.

The Toyota FT-Me Is (Partially) Solar-Powered

2025 Toyota FT-ME

The biggest quirk — if that word can even apply to a car so small — of the FT-Me is its roof. The hatchback features solar panels in the roof, which on a sunny day, could add up to an extra 19 miles of range. Whether that's a lot of range or a little depends entirely on how big a battery fits under the concept's super-modern sheet metal. Unfortunately, that bit of information hasn't been disclosed, nor has the EV's range. Given its role as a city car, it likely isn't much. Tiny 185-section tires with aerodynamic 14-inch wheels sit practically at the corners, which helps lend some space to the concept's interior. Dimensions are kept similarly tiny width-wise, with small cameras serving as mirrors and cutting down on the concept's overall width.

Toyota Built The FT-Me For Everyone

Toyota

Pretty much anyone will be able to get behind the wheel of the FT-Me. Its built-in hand controls mean a wider range of able-bodied and disabled people alike can operate it. The EV was built with young drivers in mind, too, with users as young as 14 able to operate the EV in some markets. It suggests a sliding scale for power output, possibly through some kind of parental controls: "Its versatility caters for diverse user needs, with customizable options for teenagers and professionals." Toyota also built the interior to handle all kinds of cargo, and the second seat can fold away totally flat to accommodate large cargo, like flat-pack furniture or luggage.

TopSpeed's Take

Toyota

Americans don't buy smaller cars, generally speaking. That's especially true of microcars like this, the now-dead Smart car, and others. However, Toyota's FT-Me does intrigue us with its solar roof. It's a concept that's been tried before, but widespread adoption of this idea hasn't come along yet. As batteries and solar cells grow more efficient, it's possible we could see this tech, as well as other clever items like Toyota's fold-flat passenger seat, end up in production vehicles for the American market.