Toyota Prius to Get Solar Power
Toyota’s next generation Prius, due out as early as next spring, will be outfitted with solar panels to help run the on-board electronics, according to a report from the Nikkei newspaper.
Smaller start-up car companies, such as Th!nk, have plans for solar power augmented cars on the books too, but the incorporation of solar panels on the Prius would mark the first time a major car manufacturer has done such a thing with one of its models.
Currently in its second generation, the third generation Prius has been widely anticipated for some time now. Due for a complete overhaul, the addition of solar panels to the Prius would corroborate the expectation of major changes in both style and function in the next generation model.
According to Marketwatch, the Nikkei reported that the solar panels would provide a portion of the two to five kilowatts needed to power the air conditioning unit. The solar panels would be supplied by Kyocera.
Toyota plans to pump up production of the Prius next year to 450,000 units. This would represent a 60% increase in production over 2007 numbers, Marketwatch also reported.
Although that sounds promising, Toyota has kind of dropped the ball this year by failing to meet demand for the popular hybrid and causing a worldwide Prius shortage. Blaming a lack of battery production capacity, Toyota has promised to open another battery facility soon.
Let’s hope they can actually meet demand for the Prius next year, especially if they plan on including such excellent and logical features as solar powered on-board electronics.
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Just drive down-hill all the time. You will be fine. Gas will hit $6.50 in the US before summer is over. Don’t like it? Don’t vote Republican.
I am looking at the Mercedes Smart Car it uses gas but gets 40-50 miles to the gallon. I am not sure of the hybrid by the time you pay the cost of car and insurance you have spent more than you would no gas in the long run. But I did look at the ones out there - they are cute but not for me.
That is by far the most high tech “toyota prius” graphic / pic I have ever witnessed with my own eyes. thank u !!!
Current solar panels would require a space the size of a small garage to power an air conditioner, certainly very little will come from a little panel on the roof of the Prius.
This is just another case of Toyota stealing free publicity with another idea that will not likely be implemented anyway.
Wow dude I like that idea very much.
JT
http://www.FireMe.To/udi
I seem to recall that a 1990’s Mazda 929 could be equipped with a solar powered fan that ran while the car was parked to keep it cool. I suppose that doesn’t count as a “major car manufacturer” or “solar power augmented car.”
this is a great blog! thx u for the information. I’m trying to learn more about the so-called “green” automobiles and wanted to know if there is a list of all the manufacturers that are producing such cars. Does such a think exist. I can guarantee that only a couple of my friends know about a company such as Th!nk, and so I wanted to learn about all the types of companies that exist.
Thank in advance for your help. Great work Gas2.0!
Good God, no one is claiming that solar panels are going to replace gas as a fuel for cars. It is simply another way of HELPING to charge the battery on board. Nothing more. The benefit of solar panels incorporated into the body design is most evident in plug-in hybrids, where the battery is used to a greater extent. The idea is that you drive to work, use a substantial amount of battery charge, and while your car is parked all day, it is getting the battery recharged SOME. ANY amount of help is good. So what if it costs extra? It is a one-time purchase and in the end is that much less you have to spend on your own electricity and liquid fuel. It is a good idea, period.
I think the Prius is a great car, but how useful are solar panels going to be?
http://buyingadvice.com/
In the aggregate if every car on the planet had solar it would make a difference. However, it would only add about a mile a day to your energy use and only if you were in a very sunny place all day long. Solar panels belong on the roof of buildings where they can be used at a proper orientation to the sun all day every day and amortize their costs over the next 30 years. Then you can use the power for your home and car and return the rest to the grid(meter runs backwards) making a big impact, instead of the symbolism of on the car. Homes with solar have much higher resale values.