The Prius is known for its environmentally-friendly character, and Toyota plans to keep it that way with the new Cat Shield by MillerCAT.

The Toyota Prius used to be an ugly duckling, but thanks to a new redesign, it looks better than ever. However, one thing hasn't changed: crooks are still after its valuable catalytic converters. Now, Toyota is fighting back with a security system that will hopefully keep Prius owners' cats in place.

It should be common knowledge that catalytic converter thefts are at an all-time high: this crucial part scrubs harmful emissions from our car's exhaust gasses. It contains multiple precious metals that go for big money on the black market.

The catalytic converters fitted to Toyota Prius cars can sell for up to $1,000 on the black market. They are so sought after because they contain more precious metals than regular ICE cars because their exhaust gasses run at hotter temperatures.

Each catalytic converter contains metals such as platinum, rhodium, and palladium. The cat is usually fitted underneath the car, meaning thieves only require a jack and a few seconds with an angle grinder to lob a converter off.

Toyota's new Cat Shield aims to make that task much more difficult by adding a thick metal wall around the cat.

The part is listed under exterior accessories in the car builder section of the website and is listed for $140 (which beats a catalytic converter replacement price of over $1,000) and is custom-made from high-grade aluminum, which offers excellent strength and corrosion resistance.

The installation is entirely drill-less, and the kit contains the cat shield, installation hardware, tamper-proof screw kit, and a detailed installation guide. Installation is not included, but your local Toyota dealership can assist on request. A small $140 investment will go a long way as catalytic converter thefts continue unabated.