US Patent 9944186 Hybrid truck and hybrid truck accessory

A vehicle includes a cargo bed, first open electrical circuit, and tonneau cover. The cargo bed has first and second sides extending upward. The first open electrical circuit has a battery and extends from a first electrical receptacle defined by the first side to a second electrical receptacle defined by the second side. The tonneau cover has a photovoltaic panel. The tonneau cover also has first and second electrical connectors that engage the first and second receptacles, respectively, to connect the photovoltaic panel to and close the first open circuit.