Toyota continues to surprise the competition by combining even greener elements into the Prius through adding “solar-powered air conditioning to high-end models of its Prius hybrid cars. …” The integration of solar will occur in the high-end model of the third generation Prius, which is due out next year.

Solar cells are already successfully integrated into hybrid cars to recharge their batteries. However, to my knowledge, this is the first time that combining solar power with hybrid technology sold in the United States or possibly anywhere in the world will take place on a large scale during the manufacturing process by a large automaker.

Take that Hummer!

Here is a YouTube video on integrating solar cells into a Prius to recharge its batteries:

On the Net:

1. Next-Gen Prius to Get Solar Panels
2. Solar Electrical Vehicles
3. HYBRID TECHNOLOGY: No matter what you say the Toyota Prius is still GREEN
4. HYBRID TECHNOLOGY: Comparing hybrid technology with petroleum diesel engines like comparing apples with oranges
5. SOLAR: PHEVs, solar and changing behaviors
6. HYBRID TECHNOLOGY: GM still missing the point