Toronto Fire Services happy with new Toyota Highlander Hybrids

A fire chief driving a hybrid?

Well, the Toronto Fire Services asked themselves, why not? If it's fast enough, tough enough and versatile enough to meet the demanding needs of a force that supports over 170 vehicles - and if it's cheaper to run than any alternative - then why shouldn't a hybrid vehicle be the vehicle of choice? Earlier this year, the service, which is the largest in Canada and the fifth-largest in North America, marked a large step away from the traditional emergency-service car to a fleet of nine Toyota Highlander hybrid SUVs.



The chassis and drivetrain are unchanged: Sean Pearce, the executive officer in the office of the Toronto fire chief, says the stock Highlander had to meet the same tough durability and performance standards as any other car, but passed without any modifications.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articl...fs_high_hy.htm

Pretty slick! I'm impressed they didn't need any heavy duty parts added to meet their needs.



Hybrids may replace SUVs in Eagle County fleet

County may buy as many as 20 Toyota Priuses

EAGLE - Eagle County may soon buy its vehicles the way it buys its paper towels: in bulk.

The Eagle County commissioners have asked for bids to buy as many as 20 gas-electric hybrid cars - probably Toyota Priuses, and maybe a handful of Toyota Camrys - to replace the same number of vehicles in the county's current fleet. One estimate for 20 of those vehicles put the price tag at just under $480,000.

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20...52/0/FRONTPAGE

It's good to see goverment departments looking seriously at hybrids for fleet usage!