"Alternate" Transportation Franklin PUD's Toyota Prius is one
of many props used in our alternative energy and conservation
education outreach programs reaching 1000 or more students
each year in SE Washington State. When not on public
display the Prius is one of our most popular motor
pool selections as a great commuter car for around
town errands and even out of town trips when stretching
the travel budget is a concern (in our department
budget is always a concern)! At 40+ miles per gallon
it almost doubles the next best gas milage car in
our fleet.
Hybrid cars use DC electric motors which
also can act as battery chargers to add power and
fuel efficiency to a small gas engine that would
otherwise be greatly lacking in performance. Around
town the car has a lot of get up and go but there
is plenty of room for luggage in the trunk and ample
leg room for the longer drives. We hope that in bringing
attention to alternatives like Hybrid vehicles we
will help students think outside of the energy box
when they grow up to be consumers of our natural
resources and Franklin PUD hydroelectric power.
