DES MOINES-- The DNR has added a Toyota Prius, a hybrid-electric vehicle that gets up to 52 miles per gallon, to its vehicle fleet.

“The Prius nearly doubles the fuel economy of most compact cars and quadruples that of many SUVs and trucks,” said Brian Button, DNR air information specialist. “The DNR chose the Prius over other car models to demonstrate how an affordable, low-emission vehicle can benefit Iowa’s environment.”

The four-door, high economy vehicle also will help reduce agency fuel expenses, according to Button.

The Prius gets 52 miles per gallon (MPG) in the city and 45 MPG on the highway by using an electric motor to assist the gasoline engine when accelerating, passing or climbing hills. This allows the gas engine to run at steady, efficient rates. Electric batteries are recharged during the braking process, so “plugging in” the car is not needed.

According to Button, nearly half of all air emissions in Iowa come from vehicle exhaust. The Prius emits half that of typical passenger cars and is a certified SULEV, or super ultra-low emission vehicle under U.S. EPA guidelines.

Iowans drove nearly 30 billion miles last year and burned nearly 2 billion gallons of gasoline. The total miles driven in Iowa has doubled since the 1970s. Also adding to air pollution and energy consumption is the popularity of larger, inefficient SUVs, mini-vans and pickup trucks, which make up half of all new vehicles sold.

Besides staff business trips, the Prius will be used to promote clean air and energy conservation at environmental events, schools and workshops. The DNR’s fleet also includes natural gas powered trucks and flexible-fuel vehicles that run on cleaner burning E85 (85 percent ethanol), E10, regular gasoline or any combination of the three.

For more information, contact Brian Button at (515) 281-7832.

(Note to reporters: News organizations can schedule the vehicle for test drives and photos in Des Moines by calling 515-281-7832.)