Here in the UK, the thought of a car that runs on solar power seems like a distant dream – after all, we need some sun first, right? Still, much is being made of solar technology with Green Mountain Power, which sells electricity and utility construction services in the state of Vermont, converting two of its Toyota Prius fleet vehicles into plug-in hybrids.
The cars’ batteries are charged using a 4kW solar array that has been installed at the company’s headquarters in Colchester. The solar-powered vehicles now boast increased mileage in neighbourhood driving conditions of 100mpg.
Plug-in hybrids work in much the same way as conventional hybrid cars but use an additional battery capacity to be charged by a household current. The 5kwh battery pack used in the Toyota Prius converted models is added to the trunk of the car and takes around five-and-a-half hours to charge. When the electricity power supply is exhausted the vehicle does not grind to a halt – instead it runs like a regular hybrid, making it incredibly versatile.
Any Prius built after 2004 can be converted if a kit is purchased and even without solar-charging, it produces 70 per cent less carbon than a conventional petrol powered vehicle.
Green Mountain Power has 11 hybrid vehicles in its fleet and plans to test more new technologies.
