Toyota Built an 8-Foot Electric Car with a Solar Roof. Critics Are Confused

Toyota is accelerating work on the production version of its FT-Me concept, thanks to fresh financial support from the U.K. government. While the exact investment amount hasn’t been disclosed, the funding will enable Toyota Manufacturing UK in Derby to begin detailed development of a lightweight urban EV designed to serve as a practical alternative to conventional compact cars.

The project brings together a consortium of partners. ELM Mobility Ltd will handle the design and production of short-range city EVs, while Savcor will integrate solar panels into the car’s roof. Meanwhile, researchers from the University of Derby will study how effectively the solar system can be used and how drivers adapt to it in real-world conditions.

Toyota envisions the FT-Me as a compact two-seater electric vehicle built for urban life. The prototype, just 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) long, was created with dense metropolitan areas in mind — where parking space is scarce and maneuverability is key. The car occupies only about half the size of a standard parking space, making it ideal for crowded city streets.

Testing and research will take place at Toyota’s Burnaston plant and in laboratories at the University of Derby. Engineers will also explore sustainable materials, recycling potential, and ways to scale up production by sharing components with ELM’s commercial EVs.

According to Stijn Peeters of Toyota Motor Europe, the FT-Me project aims to deliver something fresh to the market — “an affordable, eco-friendly, safe, and flexible city vehicle that could redefine the standards of urban mobility.”