Toyota’s New Solar Powered Prius
posted in Car Donations |One of the most popular Hybrid automobiles 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 miles per gallon in the city, and 49 miles per gallon on the highway. Even for a hybrid, that’s not bad, and is a step up from earlier years’ 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-cost version 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 rooftop solar panel package is available for the Toyota Prius II, III, and IV Models – but not for the V.
The solar-powered roof system costs between $3,600 and $4,500, and uses solar power 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 the combination of hybrid technology and solar power, a whole new range of fuel efficiency may be well within our grasp. The solar powered version is said to make mileages of up to 70 mpg possible, under ideal circumstances.
If you live in or often drive in a sunny climate, a solar roof might go a long ways in reducing your gas bill and carbon emissions.
Under some (although somewhat theoretical) circumstances, the driver of a solar-powered Toyota Prius might never need to purchase 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 anticipate to need 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 have the ability to live greener and more environmentally friendly lives.
To learn more, visit her blog, Green Gadget.
Source Article: Prius Goes Solar