Toyota’s New bZ Electric Vehicle’s Roof Adds 17,000 Miles Of Range

Toyota’s all-new bZ4X battery electric vehicle has been revealed by Toyota. There is much to love Toyota’s third-generation BEV. One unique aspect to this new EV from Toyota that has us very excited is the solar roof.

Toyota says the solar roof is estimated to add up to 1,800 km per year or range. Of course, that will be in places like sunny Southern California, Colorado, or Arizona, where the sun is both strong and infrequently covered by clouds. Those owners who do park outside in a sun-intensive area will enjoy a free year of EV range every 15 years of ownership. The roof adds range whether the ignition is on or off.

Over an estimated fifteen-year ownership period (my own Highlander turned fifteen this year and is still going strong), the bZ’s solar roof will add as much as 17,000 miles of EV range. That is local-emission-free range the owner won’t need to draw from “dirty and dangerous” coal, nuclear, trash cogeneration, or any other planet-damaging electricity supply. It will also free up hydro, solar, and wind power to be used to power EVs or make more solar panels and wind turbines.

Related Story - Poll Suggests That Only Half of Green Vehicle Owners Want a Vehicle With a Solar Roof

We’ve covered enough solar roofs on vehicles like the Prius and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid to know that many green vehicle fans, even many EVangelists, seem to scoff at the worth of a solar roof. We often hear that “the range addition is meaningless.” Is a year of range meaningless over the life of a vehicle? How could it be? Another common counterpoint is that “Solar roofs cost more than they are worth.” While we won’t argue that a solar roof may cost more than the value of one year of electrical range of a BEV (around $550) today, who knows how much a year’s worth of electricity will cost in 2037? If the chip shortage has proven anything, it is that the law of supply and demand is alive and well, even in economies propped up by borrowed paper money.

Anyone who charges a car with solar power should appreciate the solar roof on the bZ. It offers a charging source during periods of shortages, blackouts, or other interruptions. The roof also looks pretty cool. See-through glass roofs are all the rage, but they are delicate and don’t add any range to the EV. If the intent of an EV is environmental progress, how can a solar roof be anything but welcome.

Toyota has been offering solar roofs for many years, but this is the first one that will add meaningful EV range to a BEV. Tell us in the comments below if you think it will be a popular feature. Naysayers are welcome as well. Tell us why a year of EV range is meaningless.

John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. John's interest in EVs goes back to 1990 when he designed the thermal control system for an EV battery as part of an academic team. After earning his mechanical engineering degree, John completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers, in the semiconductor industry, and in biotech. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American news outlets and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on TikTok @ToknCars, on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin

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