Toyota will be installing solar panels on the roof of the next generation Prius, set to begin production next year and released in 2010. The power generated by the solar panels will be used to power the air conditioning system, which was previously putting strain on the hybrid powertrain. The panels will only be available on high-end Prius models.
There have also been rumors that the next generation Prius will have a lithium battery and may get over 100mpg. The body has been redesigned to be slightly larger and more aerodynamic.
I can’t wait to see how high gas prices are going to continue to spur innovation in all industries. We should be seeing some extremely cool cars in the next few years, and the best part is they’ll be getting greener and greener! With so many interesting new designs and concepts in the works right now, the hardest part will be choosing between them all.
Link [Reuters]
Photo credit: Popular Mechanics
