New Jersey Township Goes Hybrid

Edison Township, in New Jersey, will begin replacing its fleet vehicles with hybrid models. The township, which has 435 vehicles, will phase in new hybrid vehicles as older models "age out" and ultimately plans to replace about half of the fleet with hybrids. Currently, the township's oldest fleet vehicles are a 1987 Crown Victoria and a 1987 Ford Bronco.

The township cited the rising cost of gasoline as one of the primary motivators for making the switch to hybrid vehicles. In addition, the township was able to take advantage of a buying contract negotiated by New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities, which provided a discount of about $4,000 on each car purchased.

The township already owns 26 hybrid vehicles, including Toyota Priuses and Ford Escapes. Four additional hybrid vehicles from another manufacturer are on order, and the township will add about 25 more vehicles during the next budget year.

According to the fleet manager, the new hybrid vehicles could reduce their expenditures on gasoline by $70,000 each year. The township will retain conventional drive trains for certain vehicles, including the township's emergency fleet.

Not everyone in Edison Township is thrilled with the new plan. One councilwoman is drafting an ordinance to restrict the distribution of hybrid vehicles for both city business and personal use to the mayor, the fire chief, the deputy police chiefs and the coordinator for the Office of Emergency Management. That list specifically excludes the Police Director and the township's administrator, both of whom are civilians. The councilwoman explains that she does not believe that the township should be subsidizing the personal travel of administrative officials not actively responsible for public safety.

Source: The Edison-Metuchen Sentinel