Hybrid car catching on with towns

With gas prices at near-record levels, officials in some communities west of Boston are mulling whether to add hybrid and other alternative-fuel cars to their fleets.

Officials in Marlborough and Newton, which have both tried out Toyota Priuses, said they were happy with the cars and would consider buying more.

Doran Crouse, assistant commissioner of public works in Marlborough, said the city was curious about the fuel efficiency and emission control benefits of a hybrid when it bought its Prius in 2002.

''We try to lead by example," said Crouse, who drives the car. ''And this vehicle has the potential of getting much better mileage than the average car. And, by burning less oil, we're placing less of a demand on our natural resources and helping to protect the environment."

Environmental groups have been pushing the benefits of using more fuel-efficient vehicles for years. But interest in the cars has been growing as fuel costs have risen. Gas prices in the western suburbs are now hovering around $2.40 per gallon.

Late last month, state legislators drove hybrids around Beacon Hill to promote proposed legislation that would encourage consumers -- and cities and towns -- to buy them.

The bill, cosponsored by Senate President Robert Travaglini, an East Boston Democrat, and Senate Minority Whip Bruce Tarr, a Gloucester Republican, would fund a $10 million grant program to help cities and towns purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles.

''In a time when gas prices are at a record high . . . alternative energy vehicles will provide a benefit to our cities and towns," said state Representative Richard Ross, a Wrentham Democrat and supporter of the legislation.

''Anything we can do to save on costs will help those towns with their bottom line," he added. ''It's just good fiscal policy, it makes sense, and it saves money."

The bill would also require that at least 5 percent of all new vehicles purchased by the state each year be powered by alternative fuels and that half of the state's fleet be alternative-fuel-based by 2010.

Jeremy Marin, a Northeast regional official with the Sierra Club, pointed to state and federal environmental regulators' warnings last week of possibly unhealthy air conditions. He said that showed the need for alternative-fuel vehicles.

''Municipalities are fleet purchasers," he said. ''They purchase multiple vehicles. And good government is one that is working to help protect the community in terms of air quality and economically. It's a wise use of municipal dollars."

This winter, Natick tested out a Honda Civic that ran on compressed natural gas. Bob Bois, the town's environmental compliance officer, said it performed well, but was not practical for the town because there was no place in town that sells the fuel.

''It was quiet, it was peppy, it had great gas mileage, it had low emissions. But the gas delivery system was a major drawback," said Bois, noting that the town has pledged to consider alternative-fuel vehicles on all future car or truck purchases.

Jeremy Solomon, a spokesman for Newton Mayor David B. Cohen, said residents often stop to admire the city's four-door Toyota Prius, which was bought in 2002 for the Health Department, and ask about its performance.

''It's generated a lot of public interest," said Solomon.

''The city of Newton is an environmentally conscious city. Second, the cost of fuel has been a real challenge in the recent budget for the city. And third, the nature of how we use our sedans, for city driving, the hybrids make sense here," Solomon said.

Hybrid vehicles use a small gasoline engine. They also use an electric motor that can generate enough power to operate the car at lower speeds and assist the gas engine under heavier demand.

The Prius can get as much as 55 miles to the gallon, Toyota officials said.

Honda and Ford also make hybrids, and several other companies are looking into it.

Toyota, which says it is having a hard time keeping up with demand for the Prius, said the car should be particularly appealing to municipalities because hybrid vehicles work best under urban driving conditions.

The car uses considerably less gas when driven slowly, and it even generates power when an operator presses on the brake.

''In stop-and-go urban-type traffic, it's good . . . because the [gas] engine shuts off," said Cindy Knight, Toyota's environmental communications administrator, noting that some municipal police departments in Florida have purchased Prius squad cars.

Franco Ordonez can be reached at fordonez@globe.com.