The "car of tomorrow" has joined the City of Arlington fleet of sedans, trucks, vans and fire engines.

The City announced this week the arrival of five new Toyota Prius sedans. Technology has combined the gas engine with an electric motor to create this new environmentally conscious, fuel-efficient vehicle. The Toyota Prius is the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. It’s unveiling will occur at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 18.

City officials say the new vehicles will be driven primarily by Fire Prevention and the Department of Engineering Services. Each vehicle cost the city $19,769. The vehicles were partially funded by a grant from the North Central Texas Council of Governments and with monies from the City’s vehicle replacement fund.

While the Prius may appear to be the car of tomorrow, City of Arlington officials say, its benefits are expected to address the needs of today. The City expects the Prius to have lower operating costs than older vehicles.

City will unveil the New Prius from 10 a.m. - Noon Tuesday, June 18
City Hall, 101 W. Abram St.

• The first of its kind in the world
• Powered by a highly-efficient gasoline engine and electric motor
• Mileage ratings: 52 miles per gallon in the city
• Has a 1.5-liter gasoline engine
• Four cylinders produce 58 horsepower. The electric motor produces an additional 40 horsepower
• It is not necessary to plug into an outside charging source. A Toyota hybrid system recharges the battery while the vehicle is being driven.
• The City has more than 550 trucks, cars, vans and fire engines in its fleet of vehicles. Each averages about 22 miles per gallon in the city.