Smart Fortwo with factory solar panel roof allows alternator to switch off

[MetroMPG]

Daimler is producing a special factory edition of the Smart Fortwo for car sharing services in Europe.

They're ecomodding them as well.

In addition to auto stop/start, a solar roof to power vehicle accessories and reduce alternator load:

• The solar roof, which is a standard feature has an output of 100 Watt power.

• The solar energy produced in this way is used to supply power to the telematics, and also to continually charge the car’s battery. This allows the alternator to be decoupled whilst driving, thus tangibly reducing fuel consumption.

• In addition, if the vehicle is parked in the sun, solar energy is used to power the ventilation system, which can reduce the temperature in the interior by up to 18 °C. This not only adds to the comfort when a customer gets into the car in summer or in southern climes, but also reduces the burden on the environment, because the air-conditioning system needs to expend considerably less energy to cool the car down, thus reducing fuel consumption.

Source, Daimler: Daimler and Europcar launch car2go in Hamburg | Daimler Global Media Site > Mercedes-Benz Cars > smart > car2go
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[Daox]

Nice find Darin! Its good to see a non hybrid/ev doing these kind of things.

I didn't read the article. Did it mention how much better mileage it gets the Fortwo?

[Christ]

Car sharing... I bet that would go over like a herd of cattle off a cliff around here.

[MetroMPG]

Sounds almost socialist, eh?

[Old Tele man]

...hm-m-m-m, is that 100% mechanical "decoupling" or just electronic "decoupling" (ie: shut off the field regulator current)?