Prius Takes Texas By Storm

- Fourteen Texas Cities Use Hybrid Gas/Electric Vehicles in Fleets -

DALLAS, March 18 -- In an effort to improve air quality and reduce fuel consumption, 14 cities in the state of Texas are employing electric/gasoline Toyota Prius vehicles in their fleets. A total of 118 Priuses are currently on the road serving as fleet vehicles.

Texas cities that have purchased Prius vehicles include Austin, College Station, Coppell, Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth, Houston, Irving, Lubbock, Mesquite, Pasadena, Round Rock, San Antonio and Tyler.

"The city leaders of Texas are looking for fleet vehicles that will not only be appropriate city-driving cars but will also save on gas and protect the environment," said Tom Gardner, Gulf Sates Toyota fleet sales manager. "The Prius meets all these requirements."

Introduced in 1997, the Toyota Prius is the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. It is the only hybrid vehicle that can run on electricity, gasoline or both. It never has to be plugged in because its extremely low- emissions gasoline engine recharges the onboard battery pack when necessary. The engine also shuts off when the auto comes to a stop, so it never wastes gas or causes pollution by idling in traffic. It restarts automatically when needed.

Thanks to its breakthrough technology, the 5-seat Prius is EPA rated at 52 mpg in city driving and 45 mpg on the highway. It is also the only hybrid classified as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) by the EPA, which is 90 percent cleaner than an average vehicle. The only thing cleaner is an all- electric, zero-emissions vehicle.

"We commend the state of Texas for deciding to combat air pollution with greener, more efficient vehicles," said Toby Hynes, president and general manager of Gulf States Toyota. "The Prius combines the best in quality with the most advanced alternative fuel technology we have on the market. Toyota will continue to design cars that conserve resources and offer additional choices for consumers who want to drive more environmentally friendly vehicles."

Worldwide, Toyota has sold more than 100,000 Prius hybrid sedans. The company also sells hybrid luxury sedans, 4-wheel-drive minivans and commuter buses in Japan. Nine out of 10 hybrid vehicles on the road today are Toyotas.