The Toyota Prius already holds the titles of world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle and the world’s best-selling hybrid vehicle, and Toyota plans to add another title to the Prius’ already impressive resume when the next-generation model debuts in January.
According to Japan’s Nikkei business daily, the next-generation Prius will become the first mass-produced vehicle to use solar panels.
Although the next Prius will be able to be powered exclusively by its battery pack and electric motor under certain conditions, the solar panels — which will be produced by Kyocera — will actually be used to power the car’s air conditioning system rather than recharging its batteries.
The addition of the solar panels should reduce the overall drain on the Prius’ hybrid drivetrain, which should translate into a few more miles per gallon. However, the solar panels will reportedly only be available on high-end Prius models.
