Madera County retired two older vehicles from its fleet and replaced them with hybrid cars earlier this week in a move expected to save tens of thousands of dollars in fuel costs.
The two brand-new 2013 Toyota Prius C model hatchback cars, at a price tag of $22,270 each, are rated for a combined 50 miles per gallon on the road.
In comparison, the two vans they replace — a 2001 Chevrolet Venture and 2000 Toyota Sienna — had more than 190,000 miles on the odometer and are rated for a combined 19.5 mpg.
Steven Von Flue, automotive supervisor for the Madera County Central Garage, said that fuel rating was probably higher than the true figure given the two cars’ well-worn engines...