One of the most popular Hybrid cars on the market is the Toyota Prius.  Compact and economical, it’s starting price is listed as just $22,400, putting it within the realms of reality for the everyday, albeit environmentally-conscious, individual.

The third generation of Toyota Prius, the 2010 model, has EPA ratings of 51 mpg in the city, and 49 mpg on the highway.  That’s pretty good even for a hybrid, and is a step up from earlier Toyota Prius models.

But a new pricing structure is lined up for this hybrid, and the Toyota Prius I, II, III, IV, and V are reportedly already available.

The lowest cost version is the Toyota Prius I, which should run for around $21,000, while the Prius V starts at $27,670.

It gets better though.  A solar roof package is available for the Toyota Prius II, III, and IV Models – but not for the V.

The solar roof system costs between $3,600 and $4,500, and uses solar energy to supplement the vehicle’s power and get even better mileage.  This package also includes a solar-powered ventilation system, a navigation system, a power tilt/slide moon roof, and remote-control AC (for those of us who just can’t be bothered to lean forward and turn the knob?)

With this new combination of hybrid technology and solar power, a whole new range of fuel efficiency may be possible.  The solar powered version is said to make mileages of up to 70 mpg possible under ideal circumstances.

If you live or often travel in a sunny climate, the solar roof might go a long ways in reducing your gas bill and carbon emissions.

Under some (somewhat theoretical) circumstances, the driver of a solar-powered Toyota Prius might never need to buy gas at all.

But at the very least, a driver of a solar powered Prius who uses the vehicle’s eco settings and follows basic speed guidelines can expect to stop for gas far less often – so infrequently, in fact, that he should take care not to forget to stop for gas at all.

Sources:

Toyota Beefs Up Hybrid Leader Prius

Toyota Prius