PRESS RELEASE
May 6, 2005

A new Toyota Prius, a hybrid gas/electric hybrid with a combined city/highway mpg rating estimate of over 55, was delivered this week to the office of Supervisor Pam Slater-Price, chairwoman of the county Board of Supervisors.

"As someone with a strong environmental record, I thought I should serve as an example by obtaining a hybrid car for the use of my staff. The technology has advanced so much, and prices have become so affordable, that there's really no excuse for us not to have one," said Slater-Price. "If it were up to me, the county would switch the entire fleet to hybrid cars today."

The Prius combines an efficient gas engine with an emissions-free electric motor to produce an ideal combination of fuel efficiency, environmental sensitivity, and performance. The mid-size hybrid is designed to exceed the standards for a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) and achieve an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) rating. The car features a regenerative braking system that converts otherwise wasted kinetic energy into electricity, automatically recharging the battery.

Supervisor Slater-Price has supported efforts to limit the county's use of SUVs and to make Alternative Fuel Vehicles and hybrids at least 25-percent of the county's fleet total by the year 2012. Slater-Price recently purchased a Prius for her personal use as well. In addition, one other member of the supervisor's staff drives a hybrid and three staffers use public transportation.