Fans of green technology and cool air are in for a surprise when they look inside Toyota’s new 2010 Prius. The new hybrid car comes equipped with a full solar power panel for its air conditioning and in-car entertainment system. In a move towards total green energy, Toyota have stripped away the standard power-hungry air conditioner and replaced it with one that’s closer to a solar cooling system than the gas-sucking system most people know.
It’s said that in most cars, just 15% of used gasoline makes it to the wheels. This alarming statistic is, in most cases, quite true. Air conditioning services, entertainment systems, engine control computers and lights each require a large amount of energy, most of which is generated through burning gasoline. 
Toyota certainly aren’t the first company to embrace solar air conditioning, although they are the first auto manufacturer to use the technology. A number of office buildings have made use of solar energy for their cool air systems, including the American Apparel factory and management building in Los Angeles.
‘Green conscience’ affects thousands of consumers annually, a spending trend backed up by strong sales of hybrid cars and power-saving equipment. Home air conditioners have been optimized to the point of impressive energy efficiency, however many automobile systems still lag behind in energy usage. While Toyota’s solution certainly doesn’t cut down on all energy usage, it’s a clear step in the right direction.