Nobody knows who Greg Johanson is anymore, unless you were old enough to remember some piece of history back in the 80’s. The truth is, Johanson is responsible for setting the fastest speed by a solar-powered vehicle in 1986 called the Sunrunner. Yeah, that was two decades ago and people back then never cared about solar energy. However, two decades later, the scampering for alternative forms of energy has been so intense that the names Greg Johanson has to be mentioned, every time solar energy becomes part of the discussion.
Basically, the Sunrunner has long been retired. However, with the ever increasing demand for fuel-efficient cars, Johanson did some tweaking to a trailblazing hybrid - the Toyota Prius. The truth is, there hasn’t been any solar hybrid for the Prius, but the people in Solar Electrical Vehicles or SEV did something to make that possible. With that being said, the company that is led by Johanson designed the PV Prius that has better range and mileage compared to its traditional hybrid cousin.
SEV is planning to deliver these altered Prius cars by next year and it believes that it will be a viable option for hybrid enthusiast out there. Basically, SEV is working with Kyocera to develop its high-technology solar modules. The thing is, you’re the one who is going to install the whole solar module, via the DVD instruction kit that is sold to you. The PV Prius works by using an AC-DC converter, which connects the module to the battery of your Prius.
SEV officials claim that this solar-powered version of the Prius can generate as much as 1,300 watt-hours a day. With that being said, you can expect an additional 5-8 miles from this car by relying on its solar modules alone. However, when you use it with its tried and tested battery, this Prius can give you of up to twenty more miles and fuel efficiency of up to 30 percent.
The great thing about this kit is that it only costs around 3,500 dollars. Although the downside to it is that you need to have enough patience and time to learn how to install it. With that being said, it’s best for those who are serious into getting the most out of their Prius. However, if you simply are curious on how it works, it’s best that you get some help from a professional to finish the installation process.
On the other hand, SEV guarantees that its instruction vide is very easy to follow. Aside from that, the company states that it is working to make its solar kit more affordable and easier to understand. SEV maintains that its high costs are attributed to the recent economic downturn that the entire world is experiencing.
Toyota is not only the car manufacturer that has been dealing with SEV to make their cars more environmentally friendly. The other two members of the Big Three like Ford and General Motors are currently talking with SEV to improve the design of their respective hybrids.
