The Car Powered by Photosynthesis

Designer Michel Vlcek thinks he's found a sustainable source of energy for future cars. Better yet, his power source provides that healthy exposure to nature badly needed by today's urbanites. These are the two key features of his photosynthesis car.

That's right, a car power by photosynthesis. Somehow, the driver and lone passenger will squeeze into seats positioned right above a series of plants responsible for producing energy. It's like driving a mini-farm around. Somehow, the plants create power that drives an electric motor.

It's not really clear how Vlcek's concept will create enough sustained power to provide practical transportation. But the relatively slow pace of plant-based power production aside, the synthesis car features some easily understood functions. A central joystick provides control, while the rear wheels actually swivel around below the passenger cabin for greater maneuverability.

Unless Vlcek provides more specific details on how his photosynthesis car creates power from plants, we can only assume that this concept will remain a figment of his imagination.

photosynthesis car

Rico Mossesgeld
Contributing writer

Rico was a contributing writer at Tom's Guide. Based in the Philippines, Rico was plugged into the latest tech news to cover the latest future-gazing products and industry announcements. Rico no longer actively writes for Tom's Guide, and now works as a systems engineer. During his time at the site, he covered topics such as robotics, home office products and retro video games.

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  • polly the parrot
    This is never going to feasibly happen.
    Reply
  • insider3
    In other news, prices of vegetables have gone up.
    Reply
  • Miharu
    It's just a concept.
    Cool design, great idea but.. it's too much futuristic for build a prototype.
    No wheels on the front just some kind of rotation motor.

    I prefer the "back to the future's" delorean.
    Reply
  • Miharu
    It's just a concept.
    Cool design, great idea but.. it's too much futuristic for build a prototype.
    No wheels on the front just some kind of rotation motor.

    I prefer the "back to the future"'s delorean.
    Reply
  • ksampanna
    After a point, these concepts just start becoming too far fetched to be turned into reality.
    Reply
  • gpace
    Interesting concept. I'm still waiting till batteries improve and/or solar panels become more efficient.

    Meanwhile, i'll stick with gas.
    Reply
  • Shez
    @Vertigo - that's brilliant! You should put together a snappy artist rendition and submit it to Toms :)
    Reply
  • vertigo_2000
    Someone wasted their time and energy putting this together.

    These concept things need to stop already. At least conceptualize something that may happen within your lifetime or something that uses possible tech.

    I'm gonna conceptualize a house that will grow from a seed. You'll be able to grow your own house! Live in it as a 1 bedroom until it grows a 2nd bedroom. Hold off on the 2nd child until the 3rd room grows.
    Reply
  • jellico
    Yeah, I agree with Polly. It's a facinating concept, but the process of photosynthesis doesn't produce a readily useable form of energy. Instead, it catalyzes a reaction between carbon dioxide and water to produce simple sugars that the plants then use for energy. I just don't see any way this process can power an automobile (unless you pulverize the plants, add water and yeast, allow the mixture to ferment and then distill the resulting product into alcohol).
    Reply
  • orionite
    vertigo_2000Someone wasted their time and energy putting this together.These concept things need to stop already.Short-sighted much? How about we conceptualize some sort of device that uses invisible waves to send information over long distances. And to make it really cool, it won't have to have a cord to provide the power ... oh wait.
    Regarding your house idea: Sure, it's an outrageous idea, but what makes you think this is an impossibility? Google Prof. Michio Kaku to learn a little about impossibilities.
    Reply