“These vehicles will reduce fuel consumption and contribute to the City’s clean-air efforts,” Chris Carrier, the City’s Public Works Director, said.

Eight of the hybrid vehicles will be part of the 10 vehicles used by City employees for travel to meetings, training, presentations and events. The Civic hybrids have an EPA fuel economy estimate of 40 miles per gallon in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. In 2007, City trip cars logged about 120,000 miles and consumed approximately 6,600 gallons of fuel.

“The hybrids are expected to reduce fuel costs by at least $8,400 annually by saving approximately 2,400 gallons of fuel,” Jay Newton, the City’s fleet manager, said.

The other four hybrid vehicles will be placed into service in several City departments. They will help City departments evaluate hybrids in different work environments and under unique operating conditions. Employee feedback, along with other variables, will help provide information regarding additional hybrid vehicle purchases.

In hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) technology, the electric motor and batteries help the gasoline-fueled engine operate more efficiently, cutting down on fuel use. The engine extends the driving range compared to an all-electric vehicle. This combination produces the ability to drive up to 500 miles on a tank of gas, without having to plug in for recharging.

Besides reducing fuel consumption, the City HEV’s will reduce the City’s carbon footprint by reducing emissions. The Honda Civic hybrid has a smog index rating of only 0.09, compared to 0.38 for the average gasoline-powered vehicle.

Safety has not been compromised for the sake of fuel economy and a smaller environmental footprint. The Honda Civic hybrid has a government safety rating of five stars for driver-passenger frontal crash, four stars for front-seat side crash, and five stars for back-seat side crash incidents. The hybrids offer other safety features, including front, side, and side-curtain airbags, plus anti-lock brakes and tire-pressure monitoring.

Driving a hybrid is basically the same as driving any other passenger car -- with a few exceptions. At a complete stop, such as at a red light or stop sign, the vehicle feels as if has shut down. The car restarts automatically when the brake pedal is released and the driver presses on the accelerator pedal. The battery recharges as the car is coasting and when the brakes are applied.

The hybrids cost $22,782 each, which is about $7,000 more than the sedans the City has been purchasing.  With the fuel savings, if the price per gallon of gas is $3.50 the cost difference is expected to be paid back in a little more than 5 years.

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