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Elgin to Replace Some Vehicles with Hybrid Ones August 2004It looks like it's time to become just a little bit nicer to Mother Nature.At least that's what Elgin City Council members think. They decided this week to venture into the world of hybrid vehicles that use both electricity and gasoline - causing less pollution. "This is environmental. It's the right thing to do," said Councilman John Walters, who four months ago suggested the city start buying hybrid cars. "I think this is going to be needed more and more and more." During its budget workshop this week, the council agreed with a recommendation by City Manager David Dorgan to buy four hybrid cars to replace other city vehicles in 2005. He noted that the city probably would lose money because the hybrid cars are more expensive than standard ones, but he noted the hybrids get better gas mileage and definitely do less harm to the environment. The hybrid cars being looked at by Elgin, such as a version of the Compact Honda Civic, cost about $21,000 each. That's compared to $10,000 for a gasoline-only version, according to a city analysis. With increased prices at the gas pump, though, hybrid vehicles could save the city as much as $800 a year in fuel, Dorgan said. The vehicles' extra cost then could be made up in fuel savings in between 10 and 12 years, but hybrid cars generally have a life-expectancy of just eight years, city officials said. The hybrid cars expected to be bought next year could be used by code enforcement officers and city supervisors. They would not be used as police cars, which require more horsepower. Councilman Tom Sandor expressed concern that Elgin would enter a money-losing situation. "It's not cost-effective yet," he said, asking that council members hold off at least until 2006 or consider trying out just two hybrids next year. The council is expected to make a formal decision when it approves the city's 2005 budget in December. If the city moves forward with its plans to add hybrids to its fleet of 400, it would become one of the first towns in the Chicago area to do so. City officials say hybrids could be used for as many as 50 of the vehicles it needs to operate. The city of San Francisco, which was one of the first in the nation to use hybrids, now has about 600 in its fleet. The cost for hybrids, which have significantly less tailpipe emissions than gas- and diesel-burning vehicles, is expected to drop in coming years as more and more people turn to them to help the environment and avoid paying for gasoline. Source: Daily Herald | ||
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