Newark officials purchase hybrid vehicles in an effort to save money

Throughout the state of Delaware, local municipalities and cities like Newark have made a commitment to go green in order to save energy and money.

Newark officials on Monday proved that they remain committed to environmental and operational improvements with the purchase of three hybrid vehicles. It’s the city’s first purchase to combat rising gas prices.  According to Newark’s Interim City Manager, Carol Houck, the purchase was made possible thanks to money from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative program grant and city funds.  “We’re looking already to identify certain other vehicles that are candidates so that we can get more out of our fleet,” said Houck.

The brand new hybrid Toyota Camry sedans will be added to the city’s current fleet of 200 cars and replace some of the older vehicles that usually get about 15 mpg. As for the hybrid cars they’re expected to provide 41 mpg in combined city/highway usage.

Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., and Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Colin O’Mara praised Newark officials for their efforts to reduce air pollution and more. “Hybrids not only make good environmental sense by contributing to cleaner air and reduced dependence on fossil fuel, they also make good fiscal sense for the the city’s budget by reducing the amount of money needed to cover fuel costs,” said Sen. Carper.

Meanwhile, Newark also plans to use a portion of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative grant for 18 new trees, an anti-idling education campaign to reduce air emissions, and to update the city’s gateway to downtown with a better irrigation system.

“Through simple actions like tree plantings, irrigation projects, and the adoption of hybrid vehicles, Newark is demonstrating that environmental sustainability and operational efficiency go hand-in-hand,” said O’Mara.