More details on Toyota's solar-powered Prius
(Credit: Toyota)We applaud any carmaker that harnesses the power of technology, particularly if it helps fuel economy, makes driving fun, or makes us look cool. That's why we launched the U.K. version of Car Tech.
So our ears perked up when we heard Toyota is upgrading its Prius. Not only will it feature a hybrid electric-gasoline engine and automatic self-parking (see its robot skills in action here), but it will soon get solar panels on the roof to power its air-conditioning system.
That last bit might not sound too exciting, but it has potential. Automotive air-conditioning systems are usually powered by your car's engine, which has to work harder to keep the car moving and its occupants cool. By using a combination of a solar panel and an electric motor, Toyota is able to use the power of the sun against itself, save gas, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
It's a shame that these particular solar panels can't be used to power the entire vehicle, but there is hope: A U.S. company called SEV has already demonstrated a modified, solar-powered Prius that improves fuel economy by about 29 percent. According to SEV, this gives you a daily electric-only range of 20 miles.
We'll have to wait until 2009 to see whether Toyota's implementation makes a real difference, but in the meantime, you can watch our video review of the current Prius here.
(Source: Crave UK)
So tell me Car Makers....Why could you get 90 miles per charge in 1990, but can't do better than 20 miles per charge in 2008???????????
Are you still ashamed that you recalled all those electric cars and CRUSHED them in the desert???
I believe there is only one left in the world, and it's at the Smithsonian in DC, but guess what, GM disabled the car and engine, so it will never start...
Good going GM, you could have changed the world for the better and cornered the car market, but your GREED killed those noble ideas.
http://flarekit.blogspot.com
Re: Redirect your frustration
The fact of the matter is that technology isn't the only limitation when it comes to solar power. If we really wanted a boost, we'd need to dial up Superman and get us a new sun. The fact of the matter is that the amount of light striking the roof of a car from our sun just doesn't amount to much; certainly not remotely enough to power the drivetrain of a 3000 lb. car.
Consider this: The largest solar farm in the United States covers an area of 140 acres (about 109 football fields) and provides only enough electrical power for 25% of ONE Air Force Base's electrical power consumption. Or to put it another way, it is approximately enough power for ~10,000 average US households. During the day. If it's sunny.
Solar power has some problams. Much of it is because of the sun.
MIT explains this here:
http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/21073/
check this out
http://www.uploaded.tv/