YUMA, AZ – With the recent addition of six new 2008 Toyota Camry hybrids and two new 2008 Ford Escape hybrids, the City of Yuma, Ariz., now has a total of 20 gasoline-electric hybrids, including six Toyota Priuses and six additional Escapes, to go along with 31 flex-fuel-compatible cars and trucks.

“What we’re doing here is that if a mandate comes down (from federal or state government) to reduce emissions, we’ll have a track record with these vehicles,” said Fleet Manager Charlie Caudill. “We’ll know which ones work for us and which ones don’t.”

Yuma County government vehicles are under no special restrictions at this time, but other Arizona counties, such as Maricopa and Pima, are.

The reduced carbon emissions of the Prius — 40 percent less, according to Toyota — plus its great gas mileage make it a natural choice for personnel such as the city’s building inspectors, who don’t usually have to carry much cargo. The new technology used in the Camry hybrid allows the air conditioner to run even when only the electric motor is operating.

The Prius costs the city about nine cents a mile, compared to 13 cents a mile for non-hybrid sedans in the fleet. That’s a $4,000 savings over an eight-year, 100,000-mile lifespan.

Estimated savings for the City’s other hybrid vehicles are $1,500 per Camry hybrid and $3,000-$3,500 per Escape hybrid.