Hertz Australia adds Petrol - Electric Hybrid Toyota Prius to Fleet

Hertz has introduced to its Australian rental fleet the petrol/electric Hybrid Toyota Prius sedan, which can travel up to 100 kilometres on just 4.4 litres of petrol, and up to 1,000 kilometres on one tank of fuel.

The new Prius, which is being introduced progressively at major Hertz locations around Australia, emits up to 55% less carbon monoxide than conventionally powered vehicles of similar size.

And it is one of the quietest vehicles available, with its Continuously Variable Transmission system eliminating the need for gear changes.

“The Toyota Prius has taken the Australian market by stealth,” said Wayne Burgoyne, Director of Sales and Marketing for Hertz Australia.

“Customers who have rented the Prius have been very pleasantly surprised by its low fuel consumption and quiet operation,” said Mr Burgoyne.

“They have been equally impressed that the Prius maintains the comfort, performance and safety standards of other vehicles, and offers features including seating for up to five passengers, dual front SRS airbags, air conditioning, power-operated windows and mirrors, six-speaker CD/radio and cruise control.”

The Prius combines lightweight construction with a propulsion system called Hybrid Synergy Drive, which delivers the best of battery and petrol power. When the vehicle is accelerating it is powered by electricity, until it reaches cruise speed, when it automatically switches to petrol. Then, when the car begins to decelerate or brake, it switches back to battery, which minimises fuel consumption by automatically selecting either battery or petrol, whichever is most efficient at the time.

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