The news about Toyota’s new Prius hybrid car was received with great enthusiasm by all people concerned about the environment, as the vehicle will present certain features powered by solar panels.

Even though the company did not confirm the rumors, the information was offered by The Nikkei, Japan’s most popular business newspaper, therefore the information could be considered to be reliable.

Apparently, the new solar roof-tops will provide up to 5 kilowatts, powering several buttons and applications, such as the air conditioning. The upgrade is expected to further boost the sales figures for the company, which has had a huge success with its Prius release. The hybrid car became the number one choice for many people concerned about the never-ending gas price rises and the cars’ emissions leading to an increased global warming.

“Toyota has made hybrid technology the pillar of its growth strategy, promising to deliver hybrids in every model in its line-up soon after 2020,” says a story presented by the Associated Press.

So far, there have been more than one million Prius cars sold worldwide and the company’s sales target until 2010 is to sell another million. The plan to include solar panels for its mass production will represent a first in the industry, and hopefully will lead to many other innovations by Toyota and its competitors.

The Prius was first released by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan in 1997, as the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. The worldwide release was set for 2001 when the car began shipping to more than 40 countries. The car became a huge success with its low consumption, being the preferred choice of environment-conscious drivers.