City of Denver Integrates Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Into Fleet to Reduce Gasoline Consumption

    DENVER, May 23 Mayor Wellington Webb today announced the
City of Denver is continuing to step up efforts to help the environment and
reduce fuel consumption by integrating more electric and gas-electric hybrid
vehicles into its automobile fleet.  At a press conference today to launch its
second phase of the "Take Charge" program, Denver unveiled 39 Toyota Prius
hybrid sedans it purchased for use by the Public Works and Fire departments,
as well as seven RAV4-EVs (Electric Vehicles) for companies in the greater
Denver area.  In an effort to introduce public access EV charging along the
Front Range, the City also is placing eight charging stations from Ft. Collins
to Denver.
    "National energy consumption can be dramatically decreased through many
simple ways," Mayor Webb said.  "Denver is a national leader in energy
conservation through measures we have taken to reduce energy usage in our City
fleet.  We are now taking another conservation step through the use of
gas-electric hybrid vehicles and through the promotion of an electric vehicle
charging infrastructure."
    "We're committed to making Denver an environmentally friendly city,"
according to Theresa Donahue, Manager of Denver's Department of Environmental
Health.  "With gas prices rising and energy resources a concern nationwide, we
are using more alternative fuel vehicles in our fleet and encouraging others
to drive more energy efficient cars."
    With a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities program,
Denver manages the "Take Charge" Project.  It's the first community-based,
public/private partnership to create a sustainable transportation system with
electric and hybrid-electric vehicles.
    "We commend the City and County of Denver for deciding to combat
burgeoning gas prices with greener, more efficient vehicles," said Irv Miller,
Group Vice President of External Affairs, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
"These products combine the best in quality with the most advanced alternative
fuel technology we have on the market.  Toyota will continue to design cars
that conserve resources and offer additional choices for consumers who want to
drive more environmentally friendly vehicles."
    The fully electric RAV4 will be leased by six organizations and used in a
variety of applications from ride-sharing for a senior housing development to
municipal use.  The vehicles will join the fleets of these organizations for a
1-to-3-year demonstration project.  The organizations include the Denver land
developer Burgwyn, Perry and Rose; the City of Lakewood; Platte River Power
Authority in Ft. Collins; NEWS4, KCNC-TV in Denver; and two radio
communication product manufacturers -- Inovonics in Louisville and
FreeWave Technology in Boulder.
    Denver has installed seven public access charging stations -- one at
Denver International Airport -- where electricity is provided free for the
vehicle participants.  An eighth charging station is planned for the new
Civic Center Building opening in late 2002.
    The RAV4-EV is a state of the art version of Toyota's popular RAV4 sport
utility vehicle.  It can reach top speeds of 79 miles per hour, with a range
of 126 miles.  A 228-volt outlet provides the electricity to recharge the
vehicle in about six hours.  Charging on all RAV4-EVs is conductive, which
allows the majority of the charging componentry to be located in the charger
rather than on the vehicle.  The RAV4-EV is among the American Council for
Energy Efficiency Economy's Top 13 "Greenest Vehicles of 2001."
    Under the hood, the Toyota Prius hybrid utilizes a parallel series
configuration -- the electric motor runs independently of the gasoline engine.
The ratio of power provided by each system is constantly controlled to keep
the vehicle in its most efficient operating mode.  Prius carries an EPA label
fuel economy rating of 52 mpg city, 45 mpg highway.  The Sierra Club gave the
Prius an "Award for Excellence in Environmental Engineering."  The American
Council for an Energy Efficient Economy just named it the
"greenest gasoline-powered passenger sedan in the United States."
    Launched three years ago, Denver's first phase of the "Take Charge"
program integrated three Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) into the City's
fleet as part of a year-long demonstration project.  The NEVs are limited to
downtown Denver streets with a 32-mile capacity between charges.

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