Toyota to add solar panels to Prius???

[Rachel the Truth]

Toyota to add solar panels to Prius hybrids - Autos - MSNBC.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25566243/)


TOKYO - Toyota Motor Corp plans to install solar panels on some Prius hybrids in its next remodeling, responding to growing demand for “green” cars amid record-high oil prices, a source briefed on the matter said on Monday.
The panels, supplied by Kyocera Corp would be able to power part of the air-conditioning on high-end versions of the gasoline-electric Prius, the source said.
“It’s more of a symbolic gesture,” said the source, who asked not to be identified. “It’s very difficult to power much more than that with solar energy.”

Seems like it wont really amke that much of a difference.... How much is the difference in gas mileage when running the a.c vs not running it???

Seems like it will appeal to your average joe who is dumb enough to spend several extra thousand on something that will save them a few cents here and there....

[P057]

solar cells are the new carbon fiber, it just looks cool.

[omgwtfbbq!]

Unless the solar cells do what they do on the new Audi SUVs, charge the battery while the car is off. Which is much more practical than running AC.

[blacksheep-1]

IMO what they need to install is a Haz Mat placard because the battery contents will react violently with the alumnum frame of the vehicle if it is ever compromised in an accident.

[Zate]

actually moving that stuff to something like solar cells can gain another 3-5 MPG from the Prius.

The whole idea is to gain a little MPG from a number of places, it's how the guys are averaging 80, 90, 100 MPG in the prius, they get back a little MPG from a whole bunch of places.

[vertigo]

If your car is parked under direct sunlight all day, it could be beneficial.

[kapone]

“It’s more of a symbolic gesture,”

This is the shit that gets me... it wont help the environment one bit but it will make the duche behind the wheel "feel" better about them selves ...:lol:

[The Kyle]

“It’s more of a symbolic gesture,”

This is the shit that gets me... it wont help the environment one bit but it will make the duche behind the wheel "feel" better about them selves ...:lol:


Isn't that what it's all about?

But seriously I like the idea. Not that it will make such a drastic improvement on the Prius, but I do think it will be a stepping stone to future development of solar technology. Seeing how it will perform under real world circumstances could help determine whether it's worth developing further :)