Abstract: A hybrid air conditioning system for a combustion engine vehicle. When the combustion engine is running and a rechargeable battery unit is not at full charge, an electric machine is configured by an MCU control unit as mechanically coupled to the combustion engine, and a battery charger is configured as electrically connected to the rechargeable battery unit such that the electric machine generates electric power to recharge the rechargeable battery unit. When the combustion engine stops and air conditioning is required, the rechargeable battery unit is configured by the MCU control unit as electrically connected to a motor drive, and the electric machine is configured as mechanically coupled to the compressor to provide mechanical power to drive the compressor. This allows the automobile air conditioning system to operate for a limited period of time after the combustion engine stops.