Emailing "Third-Gen Prius Gets Solar Paneled "
You wonder why automakers haven't done it sooner. Toyota is adding solar panels to some trim levels of the next Prius.
Reuters has the story:
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 a shame that they can't be used to trickle charge the car's battery packs, but it's a start. Meanwhile, Toyota dealers are currently suffering a
Prius shortage due to a huge demand and precious few batteries to satisfy it.