Virginia County Adds Hybrid Escapes to Fleet

16 August 2005

Daily Progress. Albemarle County, Virginia, has added its first hybrids to the county fleet: two Ford Escape hybrids. The county also plans to add two Toyota Priuses to its nine-car fleet within six months.

The hybrid SUVs will be used for county business, mostly for those who need four-wheel drive to visit construction sites or navigate dangerous weather.

Rising gas prices and an opportunity to be an environmental model to the community were the main forces behind the county’s decision to purchase the fuel-efficient vehicles.

“It’s more than just a financial move,” [Michael] Stumbaugh [the county’s general services director] said. “Being able to reduce emissions is a huge deal that you can’t quantify. It allows us to be environmental stewards and good models to the community.”