There is no better description of a solar power hybrid car than that given by former CIA Director James Woolsey when he said: “A plug-in hybrid is an electric car with an insurance policy – a gas engine.” Relying primarily on solar powered electricity, the hybrid has a back-up. To supplement and ensure vehicle operation, the hybrids have a gas engine that kicks in when the battery is depleted, or under certain other pre-specified conditions.

There are two types of hybrid cars on the market today…one is called a PHEV, or a plug-in hybrid, and the other is simply a hybrid. The difference between the two hybrids is the battery. A PHEV has a battery capacity about 10 times that of the normal hybrid battery, and can be recharged by plugging into an electrical outlet. A standard hybrid vehicle has a smaller battery, and recharges an electric motor that runs in conjunction with the gas engine by its operation. By true definition, a solar powered hybrid car would be either the standard hybrid vehicle, or a PHEV that was charged on a solar energy system.

Soon, the advances in battery capacity will allow individuals, families and commercial drivers of large vehicles, to make the jump to full solar powered cars with zero emissions. Solar panels on roofs are going up in conjunction with the need for recharging solar cars, and many homeowners are then adding the rest of the system to power their homes. However, hybrids, with their combination electric and gas engines are still providing the long-distance solution for vehicles that need to do more than make the quick commute back and forth to the grocery store or work before recharging.

If each of us were to closely examine the environmental damage done by fossil fuel usage, and add it to how much it costs us to drive our vehicles every day, we would all have either solar powered, or solar powered hybrids parked in our garages and driveways when we arrived home every day.

Absent entrenched economic interests and politics, solar power would be in a far different place today than it is.

The best option at the moment for longer distance driving is either the PHEV or hybrid vehicle. Like having two vehicles in one, you have the electric car that runs clean and efficiently, without pollution, and the gas engine, which while it does produce greenhouse gases when operating, also provides a back-up and additional power to make sure you get where you’re going.

The Kelly Book is widely used for vehicle reference, both in what’s available and what the value of a vehicle is. For 2010 and 2011, here’s what they show as available hybrid models in the United States:

- Toyota Prius
- Honda Insight
- Toyota Camry
- Ford Fusion
- Honda Civic
- Toyota Highlander
- Ford Escape
- Lexus, various hybrid models: RX & GS 450h, HS 250h, LS 600h
- Nissan Altima
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class & ML-Class
- Cadillac Escalade
- Chevrolet Tahoe
- Mercury Mariner & Milan
- BMW X6
- Chevrolet Malibu
- GMC Yukon
- Saturn VUE and Aura
- Chevrolet Silverado (pick-up) 1500
- GMC Sierra (pick-up) 1500 Crew Cab

Their “top green cars for 2010″ list sites the following hybrids (in reverse order):

* 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
* 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
* 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid
* 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
* 2010 Honda Insight (hybrid)
* 2010 Toyota Prius (hybrid)

Change isn’t easy for very many of us. It’s up to us, though, if we really want to embrace the move to solar energy, and solar powered cars, to take action. With all of the political pressure there is by industry lobbyists, we need to apply an even greater amount of pressure collectively by contacting our representatives, and insisting they support the kinds of incentives that will move solar energy to parity or beyond, in order to quickly and efficiently decimate our dependence on fossil fuels…for our vehicles and for our homes.

An important step can be made with the purchase of a hybrid or solar powered vehicle. Particularly with the dual option of plugging into the grid…that utility company electrical outlet…or plugging in off the grid…the electricity generated by your own solar panels, you’re making a highly responsible, cost effective way of reducing our carbon footprint.

Looking to find out all you can about solar power cars then visit www.HomeSolarPowerExplained.com to find the best advice on home solar power for you.