This is a guest post by Gilberto J. Perera, who usually writes netbook reviews and editorials for Laptop Logic.
The Short:The new Prius brings several new and environmentally friendly upgrades to the table. One of them is called a “Solar Roof” – essentially a solar-powered fan that circulates the air within the cabin while you’re not in it, letting you come back to a cool and comfortable car even on a hot day.
The Long: As the proud owner of a Honda Accord with a leather interior living in Miami, Florida I am fully aware of the amount of heat that accumulates inside a vehicle while it is parked outside in direct sunlight all day. It usually takes setting the air conditioner on the maximum setting, opening the windows, and several minutes for the cabin to cool down to a comfortable level. With Toyota’s third generation Prius, this will no longer be an issue.
The third generation Prius sports a rather new and unique feature. It has the ability to match the vehicle’s internal temperature with that of the exterior while the car is parked. The system, dubbed Solar Powered Ventilation System is an optional accessory that adds a built-in solar panel and set of fans that draw air from the exterior to cool the car while it’s parked. When activated, the system will automatically turn on when the cabin temperature reaches 68degrees Fahrenheit. The neatest thing about this system is that it draws power from solar panels installed on the vehicle’s roof. The system must be activated prior to leaving vehicle.
Among other new features to help maintain the cabin cool is the inclusion of UV reduction glass which protects drivers and interior components from deterioration and a remote AC feature which turns on the AC remotely for a maximum of three minutes prior to entering the vehicle to cool down the cabin further.
I believe this is an option that is long overdue. Like I stated before, living in Miami with any car (especially those with leather interior) can be an excruciating and uncomfortable experience due to the amount of heat trapped in the car and on the seats. I wouldn’t be surprised if more car manufacturers move towards this kind of technology; it is another option they can sell and another option I’m sure consumers would buy.
Would you pay an extra $1,500 to make sure that your car is cool every time you enter it for the next three to five years? I would.
mercedes had this a few years back as an option on the e-class. i really liked the idea but it was an absurdly expensive option. good job toyota
Having lived in Miami, with a car that had a broken A/C (I was a broke college student), I can vouch for this being an awesome feature, and well worth the money… if it works.
Why wouldn't they use this option to power the car's batteries??? And couldn't some engineer find a way to collect and convert the heat within the car into more power for the batteries??? C'mon, that would be worth an extra cost!!!
Why wouldn't they use this option to power the car's batteries??? And couldn't some engineer find a way to collect and convert the heat within the car into more power for the batteries??? C'mon, that would be worth an extra cost!!!
I live in the Mojave Desert of Southern California (frequent summer temps well over 100 degrees F.). The idea is clever enough, seems a nice feature. Would I pay $1500 for the feature? Heck no! I resent paying $1500 for the whole car, let alone frill feature I do not need. I rented a Prius once, and to my surprise, I liked the car, even if quirky. Responding to apartment110, check out https://ohgizmo.com/2008/04/30/get-some-extra-milage-out-of-your-hybrid-with-a-solar-roof/