Toyota recently showed off its redesigned 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid at the Detroit auto show. A roof-mounted solar panel will be optional equipment on the new Prius; the 2010 hits dealerships in late spring. Mounted toward the rear of the roof, the solar panel doesn’t supply power to the battery; it’s used to power a new ventilation system that runs independently from the battery and gasoline engine.
The solar-powered ventilation system keeps the interior cool when the car is off, taking in outside air and ventilating the cabin to an ambient temperature. With a cooler interior temperature, the battery-powered air conditioning doesn’t have to work as hard to cool the car. Toyota says the system will be remotely operated, so drivers can turn on the ventilation system before getting into the car.
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