Toyota Goes Solar

One of the most popular Hybrid cars on the market today is the Toyota Prius. It is both compact and economical, with a starting price of just $22,400. The price puts the Prius within the realms of possibility for the everyday, although environmentally-conscious, individual.

The third generation of Toyota Prius, the 2010 model, has EPA ratings of 51 mpg in the city, and 49 mpg on the highway. That’s pretty good even for a hybrid, and is a step up from earlier years’ Toyota Prius models.

But now, a new pricing structure is lined up for this hybrid; and the Toyota Prius I, II, III, IV, and V are reportedly already available.

The lowest-prices model is the Toyota Prius I, which should run for around $21,000, while the Prius V starts at $27,670.

While the new line of Priuses will include a range of features, it gets better.. A rooftop solar panel package is available for the Toyota Prius II, III, and IV Models – although not for the V.

The solar roof costs between $3,600 and $4,500, and uses solar energy to supplement the vehicle’s power and get even better mileage. This package also includes a solar-powered ventilation system, a navigation system, a power tilt/slide moon roof, and remote-control AC (for those of us who just can’t be bothered to lean forward and turn the knob?)

With this new combination of hybrid technology and solar power, an entirely different range of fuel efficiency may be possible. The solar powered version is said to make mileages of up to 70 miles per gallon possible, under ideal circumstances.

If you live in or often travel in a sunny climate, a solar-powered roof might go a long ways in reducing your gas bill and carbon emissions.

Under some (somewhat theoretical) circumstances, the driver of a solar-powered Toyota Prius might never need to buy gas at all.

But minimally, a driver of a solar powered Prius who uses the vehicle’s “eco” settings and who follows basic guidelines can expect to fill up on gas far less often – so infrequently, in fact, that he should probably take care not to forget to stop for gas at all.

About the author: Megan Barlow helps others learn how they can live greener and more environmentally friendly lives.

To learn more, visit her blog, Green Gadget Blog.