One of the most popular Hybrid vehicles on the market today is the Toyota Prius. It is both compact and economical, with a starting price of just $22,400. The 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 mpg in the city, and 49 mpg on the highway. That’s pretty good even for a hybrid, and it’s a step up from earlier years’ Toyota Prius models.
But now, a new pricing structure is lined up for this hybrid, and the Toyota Prius I, II, III, IV, and V are reportedly already available.
The lowest-prices version is the Toyota Prius I, which should run for around $21,000, while the Prius V starts at $27,670.
While the new line of Priuses will include a range of features, it gets better.. A solar-roof package is available for the Toyota Prius II, III, and IV Models – but not for the V.
The solar roof costs between $3,600 and $4,500, and uses solar panels to supplement the vehicle’s power and to 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 air conditioning … 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 feasible. The solar powered version is said to make mileages of up to 70 miles per gallon possible, under the right circumstances.
If you live in or often drive through a sunny climate, a solar-powered roof might go a long ways in reducing your gas bill and carbon emissions.
Under some (somewhat theoretical) circumstances, the driver of a solar-powered Toyota Prius might never need to buy gas at all.
But at the very least, a driver of a solar powered Prius who uses the vehicle’s “eco” settings and who follows basic guidelines can expect to need gasoline 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 can live greener and more environmentally friendly lives.
To learn more, visit her blog, Green Gadget.
Source Article: Prius Goes Solar