Independent Takes The Prius Fuel Economy Where Toyota Hasn't

California-based Solar Electrical Vehicles (SEV) has created a unique option for the Prius electric hybrid. The kit consists of a convex solar-panel made from high efficiency mono-crystalline photovoltaic cells, with modules rated at 200-300 watts. The power is used to charge a 3kW secondary battery that can be used to drive the vehicle up to 20 miles per day on electric power alone. With fuel economy improved by around 29%, depending on driving style, owners could recuperate most of the $2000-$4000 cost of installing the system within 2 to 3 years.


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Designer1 - 6/4/2007 3:16:35 PM

+1 Boost

Worthless solution, only fools people to pay more for yet another add-on. A better solution is, buy a cheaper car that has slightly fewer mpg rate than the Pruis, and at the end, you won't sit for 2/3 years counting if you got the benefit of paying so much for a hybrid car (+ this add-on) or not.

bagwell - 6/4/2007 4:06:44 PM

0 Boost

yep, there's only so much one can do with the Prius and now companies are coming in trying to rip people off with this stuff.

what will this do for me when I drive 60mph?? absoulutely nothing!

truckmen - 6/5/2007 12:24:21 AM

0 Boost

The whole car should have a solar panel from the factory! Good points from above! This car should have the new batteries that charge quickly and the gas engine should only come on when the batteries are almost dead! I wouldn't buy a hybrid the way they are presently made!