Just months ago, Toyota also donated the use of a Prius to the RoyalCanadian Mounted Police fleet patrolling the Parliament Hill area. It's partof similar efforts by the RCMP to reduce the impact of its fleet on theenvironment.
"Toyota is proud to support Government initiatives to reduce pollutionand fuel use," said Beatty. "We're also delighted to provide Mr. Fournier withthe chance to test the real-world usability of the Prius, a vehicle thatrepresents the best Toyota technology and our best efforts to preserveCanada's natural resources."
"I am looking forward to this chance to try out a Toyota Prius since I doboth city and highway driving to get to work," said Fournier. "I am eager tosee if it really does use less fuel than my own car."
Prius (pronounced pree-us) is powered by sophisticated Toyota HybridSystem (THS) technology that combines a gasoline engine and an electric motorin a high-efficiency powertrain that monitors itself continuously to ensure itis operating in the most energy efficient and least polluting mode. As aresult, Prius is the only hybrid vehicle that has met the strict Californiastandards for certification as a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle. It is 90per cent cleaner than conventionally-powered cars, produces about 50 per centless nitrous oxide and about 80 per cent less of other greenhouse gases, andhas an Office of Energy Efficiency EnerGuide fuel consumption rating of4.5 L/100 km.