Vic: Govt to trial environmentally friendly cars

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2001
Vic: Govt to trial environmentally friendly cars

Victoria's BRACKS government has taken delivery of 10 environmentally friendly cars
that run on petrol and an electric motor.

Eighteen Toyota Prius cars will eventually replace six-cylinder vehicles in the government
vehicle fleet for a two-year trial.

Premier STEVE BRACKS says the trial is part of the government's plan to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions.

Toyota says the Prius, a fully-imported hybrid car, uses a 33-kilowatt electric motor
and a petrol engine -- and almost halves fuel consumption compared to a conventional vehicle
in city driving.

Mr BRACKS says the hybrid cars will also save the government about 30,000 litres of
petrol a year.

The state opposition has welcomed the government's decision to trial the hybrid cars.

And it says the government should be encouraging the production of low-emission vehicles
in Victoria.

AAP RTV tsc/gfr/rt

KEYWORD: CARS (MELBOURNE)

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