New hybrid vehicles for Cincinnati Parks to cut costs, benefit environment

The Cincinnati Park Board is adding four hybrid vehicles to its fleet thanks to a $122,000 grant from Clean Fuels Ohio.  The new vehicles were obtained in partnership with the City of Cincinnati Department of Public Services, Fleet Management Division.

According to city officials, the new Toyota Prius hybrid cars are replacing four sport utility vehicles that were at the end of their serviceable life cycle.

"We evaluated the benefits of the SUV versus their operational cost, and found that the winter benefits could not justify the much higher costs," explained Gerald Checco, Superintendent, Cincinnati Park Board.  "The upkeep and gas costs associated with the sport utility vehicles could not be justified by the five to ten days of snow conditions annually."

Beyond the $3,000 of annual cost savings, the new hybrid vehicles are expected to make a considerable environmental improvement over the previous vehicles.  City officials estimate that a Toyota Prius emits an average of 3.4 tons-equivalent of CO2 annually, compared to 7.5 tons emitted by the previous sport utility vehicles.  The environmental benefit, officials say, is the clean air equivalent to planting a six-acre forest.

"Our research found the Prius is especially liked because of its stellar fuel economy, relatively uncompromised driving and acceleration characteristics and reasonable price," said Checco who went on to say that the vehicles will be used by administrative staff.

The new vehicles for the Cincinnati Park Board join a growing hybrid fleet for the City of Cincinnati.  Most recently, the City added six hybrid Toyota Highlanders to the Police Department's fleet, and another four hybrid vehicles for its Public Services division.  City officials are also now researching the use of hybrid aerial boom trucks.

Park Board officials state that eight trucks powered by propane fuel will be added later this year to further incorporate "green" initiatives outlined in Mayor Mallory's Green Cincinnati Plan.  To date, the Cincinnati Park Board has installed solar-powered trash cans, rain gardens, geothermal units, and 28 other "green" park projects.

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Scott Beseler
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