Reports have once again emerged that Japanese car manufacturer Toyota is to develop a car that will be charged solely by solar power.

According to the Associated Press, the futuristic car is years away from reaching the market but is expected to get some of its power from solar cells placed on the vehicle and the rest from solar panels on the rooftop of the home where the car is parked.

At its factory in Japan, Toyota has already been using rooftop solar panels to produce enough electricity to power 500 homes. The system cuts 740 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions off Toyota’s carbon footprint annually.

To further the rumours, Toyota’s partner in developing and producing hybrid batteries – Panasonic Corp – is scheduled to complete a takeover of Japanese rival Sanyo Electric Co, a leader in solar energy, next year. That is expected to heighten Toyota’s strength in producing solar cars.

Furthermore, the green car manufacturer of the year, according to voters at TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk, has begun experimenting with solar panels on top of a ship carrier for auto exports.