photo by jinxmcc
Not quite yet, but it looks to be on the way.
Reuters is reporting this morning that the next generation Toyota Prius will include a solar panel array on the roof. The solar panels would not be used to power the whole car, but would conrol the air conditioning system.
It’s not a completely solar-powered car, obviously, but it’s important for two reasons:
1) Toyota are the first major auto manufacturer to embrace solar technology
Toyota finds themselves once again at the forefront of new energy technology and leading the way for the car market. This is both good for the company, and good for the industry, since Toyota has proven they have the power to swing consumer interests and pull the industry to their side.
2) Air conditioning isn’t cheap
Anyone who’s been trying to save gas lately knows just how much power and fuel the air conditioning system can use up. While it doesn’t power the car, it’s a huge step to defraying the cost of car travel and energy, and if gas prices keep climbing, it’ll be another big cost-saving advantage that only Toyota is offering.
Joe Biden's Awesome Environmental Record
Polar bears are becoming cannibals
1 in 4 Mammals Could Go Extinct in the Near Future
Nobu and De Niro label their own sushi "endangered"
Even Japan Supports Closing Mediterranean Tuna Fishery
Subscribe using RSS
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Lovely concept, I hope the price of the car doesn’t skyrocket because it has solar panels on the roof though. But if it doesn’t it’s going to be a great step forward in both setting an example for more environmentally friendly cars as reduce the costs of traveling.
As AC is needed far from throughout the entire year though does the car come with a hybrid engine for in which it can store power and function as electric car at slow speeds?