One of the 12 Toyota Priuses in the Frisco fleet. Photo: friscogreenliving.com

By Bill Sullivan

You’ve probably seen them in and around town, those white Toyota Priuses with the “Frisco” logo on the side. They’re quiet, efficient…and, yes, a little more green that your average city fleet vehicle.

“They’ve done just fine,” Fleet Manager David McBurnett says. “The fuel economy with them, obviously, has been way up.”

The hybrids run part of the time on batteries and part on a conventional gasoline engine. Because they’re used mostly by city employees to get around town or the immediate area, the battery (which does most of the work at lower speeds) can offer real savings.

With the arrival this year of the first big entries in the mass-produced electric car derby, attention has shifted from the hybrids to what electric fans hope will be the next great thing. But Frisco was thinking green and economical long before most municipalities got into the act.

Photo: friscogreenliving.com

At the suggestion of City Manager George Purefoy, the first hybrid Prius purchased was a 2003 model.  Seven more were added a year later. A ninth Prius came online with the 2005 model year, and three more were acquired in 2006.

According to McBurnett, most of the few maintenance issues that have come up were covered by warranty. Problems with brake failure or sudden acceleration that made national headlines earlier this year haven’t been a problem with the Frisco vehicles. Basic upkeep is now handled at the Fleet Building after two employees attended a multi-day “hybrid school” in Mesquite.

“I like them,” says Manuel Duke, a mechanic who attended the hybrid school and helps maintain the city’s fleet. “They’ve probably been among the vehicles that have been in the shop the least.”

The Priuses ranged in price from $20,366 for the ’03 model to $23,491 for the ’06. Total mileage on each vehicle ranges from about 25,000 on the ’03 Prius to about 43,000 for the ’05.

Currently, the Prius fleet is scattered through various city departments. Building Inspection utilizes four of the vehicles, while two have been assigned to Environmental Services. Mayor Maher Maso recently began driving a Prius, and one is held in reserve for use as needed.

McBurnett notes that the hybid can take a bit of adjustment on the part of the novice driver. While running off the battery, the car is essentially silent. When the battery takes over from the gasoline engine, the sensation can be confused for stalling.

“You tell people this is different, but I had one guy come back to me and say, ‘This thing keeps dying on me,’” McBurnett said.

Photo: friscogreenliving.com

In this case, of course, “dying” is a good thing, as the Prius is neither burning expensive gasoline or putting off harmful emissions. Between running on battery and gas, McBurnett estimates that the Priuses average about 35 miles for each gallon of gas. That, he says, is probably about double what the city was getting for similar-use vehicles in 2003.

Most users are satisfied with both the performance and versatility of the cars. “I have had my city-issued vehicle for 4 years, and I can honestly say it is one of the best cars I have ever driven,” said Environmental Services Manager Pippa Couvillion, whose Prius features a colorful Environmental Services wrap including an image of Rufus, the city’s popular recycling dog. “Reliable, responsive, and very green.

“I went from a Ford F150 and was a little reluctant to scale down to the 4-door sedan. I was used to hauling around a lot of materials including recycling carts; the 95-gallon variety! Of course this car can’t do that, which is in many ways a good thing.

“It does have more space than most would expect. The back seat folds down, which provides a large area to accommodate all the stuff we need on occasions.” With the older models proving to be both reliable and cost effective, the city has no immediate plans to replace any of the current inventory.

“We’re trying to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ money,” McBurnett said.

So far, hybrids seem to be an effective part of the plan.