FLEET decision-makers are queuing up to evaluate the new hybrid petrol/electric Toyota Prius which goes on sale in the UK next year, according to the manufacturer. Toyota claims the 1.5-litre Prius can achieve 70mpg, and its use of an electric motor at low speeds makes it ideal for reducing urban pollution.

Mark Hall, Toyota Fleet's general manager, said: 'We have demonstrators ready and fleet managers are signing up to try out the Prius as soon as possible. We're confident that contract hire/leasing companies, forward-looking private businesses and the public sector will all be quick to see the potential of this technology.'

He added that Toyota's hybrid approach offered fleets a more effective solution to pollution and escalating fuel bills than liquefied petroleum gas. 'Some new LPG pumps are being installed, but at best it is a stopgap between traditional technology and truly sustainable alternative-fuel technology,' said Hall. 'In any case, LPG doesn't double the fuel economy of conventional cars as the Prius does, and its CO2 emissions match those of petrol, whereas Prius halves those emissions and reduces other pollutants almost to zero.'