Reuters reports, "Toyota Motor Corp plans to install solar panels on its next-generation Prius hybrid cars, becoming the first major automaker to use solar power for a vehicle, the Nikkei business daily reported on Monday." The solar panels will not power the car's engine. Instead, they will provide power for accessories, such as air conditioning. The solar panels will appear only on higher trim levels.
Toyota officials have refused to comment on the Nikkei report, according to AFP.
The U.K.'s Guardian quotes "a source briefed on the matter," but "who asked not to be identified" as saying the panels are "a symbolic gesture…It's very difficult to power much more than that with solar energy." Solar energy is "not seen as a viable solution to power cars. Solar panels are expensive due to rising silicon prices and storing energy is difficult, the source said."
Autoblog adds, "There was no mention of what kind of premium Toyota will charge for the solar-equipped Prius."
Earlier reports have said the next generation of the Prius will use its electric motors for a larger percentage of driving than the current generation, making it more fuel-efficient than existing hybrids. Internal Toyota sources have said the 2009 Prius may reach 94 mpg. It is expected to be larger than the outgoing model, and offer a higher total horsepower rating, resulting in faster acceleration.
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