The City of Durango continues its commitment to going “Green.” The City has just included two Hybrid vehicles into the City fleet. The Toyota Prius will be utilized by City code enforcement personnel. The hybrid incorporates a combination of gas and electric power. The hybrid is expected to get 60 miles to the gallon in city driving!

“The purchase of these vehicles is just one more step that we are taking to be part of the solution,” stated Councilor Virginia Castro. “Our air quality is one of our most valuable resources; anything that we can do to help preserve that quality is a good thing.”

The decision for the City to move into the hybrid market came long before gas prices are what they are today. In June of 2004, the City introduced biodiesel into the fleet of over 80 diesel consuming vehicles. The City of Durango now has over 85 vehicles that are running off an environmentally friendly fuel source.

City of Durango’s Fleet and Facilities Manager, Roy Petersen, had this to say about the hybrid introduction, “We are excited to include the hybrid vehicles into our fleet. For several years, we have been researching different ways to make our fleet more environmentally friendly. The City has made great strides in recent years and the technology is finally catching up to our fleet requirements.”

Hybrid Technology - In 1997, Toyota was the first automaker in the world to sell a mass-produced hybrid vehicle. Hybrid Synergy Drive® system offers drivers the best of both worlds: maximum driving performance with the least impact on the environment. The forward-thinking 2005 gas/electric Prius with Hybrid Synergy Drive® offers amazing fuel economy. Plus, you never need to plug-in for recharging.