New eco-friendly car . . . Waimate Mayor Craig Rowley takes a Toyota RAV4 hybrid for a test run.
The Waimate District Council has bought two hybrid cars.
The council introduced the hybrids to replace two petrol-driven pool cars, in order to reduce carbon emissions.
The Mitsubishi and Hyundai models have made way for two new Toyota RAV4 hybrid vehicles.
The hybrid technology would save the council significantly on fuel and operating expenses.
Waimate Mayor Craig Rowley did a short test drive before buying the vehicles and was impressed with the new model.
The purchase was another way to show the council’s dedication to fighting climate change, he said.
‘‘This is another move towards council reducing our carbon emissions.
‘‘It’s a cost-effective and efficient strategy and over the long-term life of the vehicles, we understand there will be significant fuel savings,’’ he said.
The new hybrid model requires just 5.5L of fuel per 100km and will cost about $1300 over 15,000km.
‘‘It’s about doing what we can to help address climate change in a positive way and this is just one of the ways we can start making a step towards that difference.’’
The hybrid technology is a closed system and does not require charging.
Hybrid vehicles have all the benefits of battery-assisted motoring generated from driving.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
