WEST PALM BEACH, FL – County governments in South Florida are expecting a delay in their 2005 shipments of hybrid vehicles due to increased demand through the summer, reported the South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper. "As a government, we want to try to set a good example and reduce fuel consumption, so we're going to buy the hybrids when they're available," said Doug Weichman, Palm Beach County fleet management director. Weichman said he would like to add six Toyota Prius sedans to the county’s 200-vehicle fleet, but may not be able to because only 5,000 are being sold to fleets nationwide. Fleet managers in other cities and counties in South Florida said they expect to add hybrid vehicles in 2005, but it may not be until late summer or early fall. Weichman told the Sun-Sentinel he isn't sure the gas savings and lifetime maintenance costs make up for the difference in purchase price from a traditional vehicle, but Palm Beach County has made a commitment to go with hybrids whenever possible.