Why no solar roof?

The solar roof on the new Prime is a bigger project (more expensive) where the solar is used to charge the HV battery. Weight, cost, and roll-over safety regs in US are some of the reasons we heard for not getting in the USA.

 

back to the o/p's question, we don't know, but maybe they didn't sell enough, or maybe with the new roofline, it didn't work well. there have been more than a few disappointed priuschatters.

 

I forgot about the solar being used for running a fan. That was a good use, as it wouldn't produce a lot of real power. I wouldn't give up my moon roof for it.

 

The solar roof option on the gen3 included a moon roof in the design.

 

In Australia, they sold very few - I suspect because of the HUGE price difference - an additional $8200 - it did include some other items, but if that's all you wanted of the extras, it's a lot of money for a solar fan. Some of those items weren't very desirable like wide wheels which cut fuel efficiency and a sunroof which nobody in the tropics/semi-tropics would ever want.

 

It's amazing when you think about getting 5-10% of your miles without gaso and without plugging in either. But it's apparently +$3000 and fairly involved electrically...there is an auxillary NiMH battery which collects the solar (we have a thread on it).

 

Then rent or lease it long enough to find out if it meets your expectations. I ran six weeks using a 120VAC 12A charger (technically a Level 1 EVSE) augmented by the occasional, high capacity Level 2 chargers. I easily added the charge needed for Prime / PiP EV overnight with the Level 1 charger.

Bob Wilson

 

base prime should come in around base lift back after tax credits. but driving ev is usually not about saving money, unless you have really low rates, and gas goes way up.

 

I leased a Gen 3 2013 Prius III, nav, solar roof, moon roof. The solar roof was useful in that the fan kept the interior "bearable" when entering the car on hot days. I seldom used the "remote AC feature". When I leased the Gen 4 2016 Prius III last month, the sales person told me that he had been informed at a seminar, the solar roof had been "discontinued" for "lack of demand".

 

I understand solar roof options for venting the cabin have been available on luxury cars before the gen3 came along. Usually as part of a summer package that might be limited to southern markets. The Prius was the only non-luxury car I am aware of that had it. So I'm guessing the cost and demand likely didn't make sense to offer it on non-luxury models.