With the change from a quarter-ton truck to a hybrid gas/electric car, the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment has reduced greenhouse gas emissions from the vehicle used for water sampling by 50 per cent.
The Department's Water Resources Division, with funding support from the Prince Edward Island Energy Corporation, purchased a Toyota Prius last spring to be used by staff collecting water samples throughout the province. The Prius combines a four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor. The result is high fuel efficiency and low tailpipe emissions.
In the Provincial Legislature today, Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment Chester Gillan provided an update on the car's environmental performance.
The Prius, which has been getting mileage of 50 miles per gallon (0.056 litres per kilometre), replaced a quarter-ton, six-cylinder truck, which by comparison got 26 miles per gallon (0.109 litres per kilometre). Based on analysis carried out by the Department's Pollution Prevention Division, Minister Gillan reported that the Prius generates the equivalent of 220 grams of carbon dioxide per mile, compared to 438 grams for the vehicle that was previously used for water sampling. Carbon dioxide is the principle greenhouse gas.
"When you consider the fact that this vehicle travels in the area of 22,000 miles over the course of a year, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is really quite astounding - close to five tonnes per year," said Minister Gillan.
The purchase of the Prius was part of Prince Edward Island's commitment to address climate change by looking at ways to reduce emissions and fuel consumption which contribute to global warming. Minister Gillan noted that close to 12 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada are from cars and light trucks so transportation is one area where there is potential for significant reductions.
"By monitoring the performance of the Prius, we can determine potential environmental benefits of converting other government vehicles, as well as possible savings in the operational costs," said Minister Gillan.
Development and Technology Minister Mike Currie, minister responsible for the PEI Energy Corporation, said the addition of the Prius to the government fleet is also important in encouraging the use of clean energy technologies.
"Whether it is in the area of transportation or heating and lighting their homes, there are many choices people can make that lessen the impact of human activity on the environment," said Minister Currie. "We want to make Islanders aware of environmentally-friendly alternatives by demonstrating some of these new technologies as they become available."
The Toyota Prius was ranked as the greenest family sedan in the 2002 edition of the annual ratings book by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The Prius goes an average of 60 per cent farther on a gallon than other comparably sized sedans, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 35 per cent compared to a typical new compact car.
On the surface, the Prius does not look different than other cars. Unlike pure electric cars, it does not need to be plugged in. The battery is charged by the gasoline engine and a regenerative braking system - when the car is coasting or braking, the electric motor becomes a generator, turning energy into electricity to recharge the battery.
When traveling at low speeds, the Prius operates on battery power; and when stopped in traffic or at intersections, the engine shuts off completely resulting in zero emissions.
For more information on fuel efficiency and climate change, Islanders can call the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment at (902) 368-5000 or the Prince Edward Island Energy Corporation at (902) 894-0288.