GREEN-MINDED Essex County Council has added two environmentally-friendly cars to its 1,000-strong fleet.

Its pool car fleet consists mainly of Fords and includes 17 LPG-powered vehicles.

Now, it is also to test two Toyota Prius models. The 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid cars will be used as pool cars by staff members unable to use public transport or to walk or cycle to work and for work-related duties throughout the day.

The council’s environment policy planner, Mark Wilson, said: ‘We plan to see how successful the cars are before considering whether to invest in more Priuses. The cars form an important part of our ‘A Greener Essex’ programme, focusing on sustainable transport.’

The Prius are supplied to the council on a three-year lease agreement through dealership Toyota Chelmsford. The council hopes to achieve annul fuel savings of more than £900 on each, compared with a conventional five-door hatchback.