Spy Photo: Santa's Sleigh Goes Hybrid

Christmas 2008 marks the first year that Santa Claus has added hybrid technology upgrades to his sleigh. "Rudolph may still have a nose so bright," Claus said, "But his legs are getting tired. He's pretty old, ho-ho-ho..."

The exact nature of the hybrid technology is proprietary information, protected just like the next generation GPS system installed in the sleigh a few years ago. But in an exclusive interview, AllCarsElectric.com has obtained some information about the Power Assist Take Off (PATO) system.

The sleigh does not have a plug-in feature. "A plug-in range of 40 miles or so doesn't do us much good in the grand scheme of things," said Herbie the Elf (who actually wants to be a Dentist), Director of Sustainable Technologies for the North Pole Corporation, Inc. Instead, Herbie says, the elves tried to concentrate on capturing as much energy as possible on landings through a 'hoof stocking' fitted to the hooves of the reindeer. That energy can be transferred back to the stocking for a power assisted takeoff through a technology similar to what the mag-lev train uses right now.

We asked Santa if the new ride might inspire a line of Hybrid Sleigh toys next year. "Oh, ho-ho-ho I hope not." Claus said. "We need a few years to develop this before scale models come out and we see reverse-engineering. And besides, doesn't anyone get their kid a book anymore?"