Prius Goes Solar

by Francine Hardaway
Published on July 10th, 2008
No Comments

High-end models of the 2009 Toyota Prius, the most popular car in the U.S. and the most fuel efficient, will now have a new claim to fame: solar panels.

The cars’ solar arrays, according to unconfirmed reports, will only produce enough electricity to keep the air conditioner running.

But according to this Prius White Paper, a solar-powered Prius could drive between five to eight miles on solar power alone, which could actually reduce gas consumption by 17 to 29 percent.

Solar-powered vehicles are not a new idea. There are a variety of prototypes of alternative vehicles that have been designed with solar panels to provide extra green power. However, Toyota is a major car maker, and that’s a first.

Published in

Automotive

Rate this post

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars

Tagged as

basics, fuel, greentravel, ideas, noteworthy, reduce

Join the discussion

Be the first to comment

Share this article

Francine Hardaway

Francine Hardaway

Working with startup technology companies, entrepreneurs, and social causes. Angel investor, business coach, mom, yoga practitioner, blogger, golden retriever fan, social media junkie. Connected woman.

More articles by Francine



Join the discussion



Recently Added to Automotive

  • Toyota Says Recall Plan Will Include Recycling

    Toyota has been feeling the backlash of its recent recalls after several models distributed worldwide were suspended due to sticking accelerator pedals and a general faulty braking system.

    The company has temporarily discontinued production at two major factories in the United …

  • Cow Fat Into Motor Oil is Gross, But a Pretty Good Idea

    Put down whatever you’re eating for this one. Green Earth Technologies, a Connecticut-based consumer goods manufacturer, is turning otherwise useless cow fat into motor oil, or, as the company calls the end product, G-Oil.

    Already approved by the American Petroleum Institute, …

  • We'll Tell You Why the Ford Fusion Hybrid is 'Car of the Year'

    Last week Ford’s 2010 Fusion Hybrid was named car of the year by 49 auto journalists at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

    Ford invited Earth911 to Washington D.C. last spring to test drive the Fusion Hybrid in its …

Advertise with us

Earth911

Earth911 is an environmental services company that addresses solutions for products' end-of-life for both businesses and consumers.


News & Lifestyle

Recycling 101

Business Solutions