May 04, 2007

Westchester County has just added 30 hybrid vehicles to its county fleet.

The acquisition of  the Toyota Prius and Camry hybrids brings the number of hybrid vehicles in the county’s fleet to 103.   

“This  accounts for about 33 percent of county’s 320 fleet vehicles, excluding police and emergency vehicles,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “We are committed to this program, which saves us money on gas and saves the environment, since these vehicles have low emissions as well.”

The hybrid technology combines ultra-fuel efficient gasoline-powered engines with an electric motor.  Hybrid vehicles can be powered by the gasoline engine working alone, the electric motor by itself, or by both working together. When stopped at a traffic light or in a traffic jam, a hybrid does not burn gas. Although the fuel economy varies, generally the new vehicles can travel about 650 miles on a tank of gas. The Toyota Prius and Camry hybrids have an estimated mile per gallon of 55 and 37 respectively.

The emissions reductions as compared to standard vehicles are substantial. There is an 85-97 percent reduction in hydrocarbons, 50 percent reduction in carbon monoxide and 50 percent reduction in oxides of nitrogen.

“We made a commitment to operate our fleet with cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles that are safe and reliable,” said Spano.

Westchester has also been testing four hybrid-powered buses built by Daimler-Chrysler on its Bee-Line bus system routes throughout the county since last July. The county plans on buying as many as 100 more of them to replace standard buses over the next two years.