Howington Goes Hybrid

City Manager Jane Howington recently traded in her city-issued vehicle for a "greener" model.

Howington, who took over the helm of the city's top administrative post from Edward F. Lavallee in January, had also assumed responsibility for her predecessor's black 2010 Ford Taurus.

After a few weeks driving the sedan, which had been outfitted for police use,

Howington found a more suitable use for the vehicle.

As it happens, she said the city had an identified need for a detective car in the capital budget.

"I didn't believe it was in the best interest of taxpayers dollars to purchase another police vehicle," Howington explained.

So, she turned the Taurus over to the police department, which then acquired a new red Toyota Prius for what Howington said was "significantly less" than the cost of a new police cruiser.

With the price of gas continuing its march upwards, Howington says that she's been quite pleased with her decision, and the message it sense.

"I wanted to set the example of sustainability and the greening of the community," she said.

Comments (5)

Comment Feed

Wasting money

Blah blah blah. If it saves $ it saves $ . Some people are petty and have way too much time to respond to this kind of stuff. Get a job. Roller, why not just roll away.

Ron more than 1 years ago

not waste, but savings

First off, the battery on a Prius is not Lithium (other hybrids do have Lithium batteries, but not the Prius). It is a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery. The advertised life expectancy for the batteries is 150,000 miles, or ten years. However...The current record for a Prius with the original system and battery is over 360,000 miles. That is not a typo.
Further, the Prius battery is NOT one big battery it is a battery made up of 12 units, so if one should fail they would just replace that unit. You should expect the batteries to last over 15 years.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_often_does_a_Toyota_prius_battery_need_to_be_replaced#ixzz1ssVY0urp

SHS more than 1 years ago

Hybrid

I believe the batteries are covered for 10-15 yrs and if somehow they are not covered the cost to replace them all is about $2200 alot less than a new engine....they do get around 50 MPG so the fuel savings are quite large....again someone who knows nothing is wrong again

Jack more than 1 years ago

Blah blah

Is all people have to do in life is complain? No matter what someone does to do the right thing, you hear the hoof beats of those complaining. Get a life!

Taxpayer more than 1 years ago

City manager wasting taxpayer dollars

Ms. Howington...please keep us posted when you replace the lithium battery, how much it costs, how you recycle the old one, the actual long term cost savings (or lack) of this vehicle. Your gesture to buy this car is a ruse. You are saving pennies and continue wasting dollars elsewhere.

seaside roller more than 1 years ago