Toyota’s Creates a Solar Powered Car

One of the most popular Hybrid cars on the market is the Toyota Prius. It is both compact and economical, with a starting price of just $22,400. This 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 city, and 49 mpg highway. That’s pretty good even for a hybrid, and it’s a step up from earlier Toyota Prius models.

But now, a new pricing structure is lined up for this hybrid. 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.

It gets better though. A solar roof package is available for the Toyota Prius II, III, and IV Models – but not for the V.

The solar roof costs between $3,600 and $4,500. It uses solar panels to supplement the vehicle’s power and to 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 the combination of hybrid technology and solar power, a whole new range of fuel efficiency may be well within grasp. The solar powered version is said to make mileages of up to 70 miles per gallon possible, under the right circumstances.

If you live in or often drive through 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 follows basic speed guidelines can expect to stop for gasoline far less often – so infrequently, in fact, that he should 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.

Source Article: Toyota Goes Solar