Custom Search

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Solar Powered Toyota Prius!

TRANSPORTATION TUESDAY: Solar Powered Toyota Prius!
by Jorge Chapa

prius, solar panels, solar powered prius, toyota adds solar panels, solar powered air conditioning, solar air conditioning, solar powered toyota prius, greener prius, 2009 prius, 2010 prius, prius_1.jpg

The manufacturer of the most popular hybrid car on the market is planning take its green vision even further. Toyota, the makers of the Prius, have decided that the best way to make their top selling hybrid car even greener is to add a set of solar panels to the roof of the vehicle. The addition of solar power to the already super efficient Prius marks the first time that a major auto maker will use this renewable energy in a top selling car. Could this be the official start of a hot commercial trend?

prius, solar panels, solar powered prius, toyota adds solar panels, solar powered air conditioning, solar air conditioning, solar powered toyota prius, greener prius, 2009 prius, 2010 prius, prius_2.jpg

According to a report in the Nikkei Business Daily, Toyota is seriously mulling installing solar panels, to be produced by Kyocera, that will power the air-conditioning unit of the vehicle. This is part of the refreshed model which is expected to be available next spring. It is probably more of a symbolic gesture than anything else, but still, it is a nice detail that will save some fuel.

With oil prices so high, everyone is focusing on making their vehicles as fuel efficient as possible. And, as far as the big car manufacturers are concerned, no one does this better than Toyota. Hopefully, where Toyota leads, others will follow.

+ Toyota to equip Prius with solar panels: report
+ Toyota Prius

prius, solar panels, solar powered prius, toyota adds solar panels, solar powered air conditioning, solar air conditioning, solar powered toyota prius, greener prius, 2009 prius, 2010 prius

Image via: Car and Driver

No comments: