Toyota brings the future to New Zealand

Toyota brings the future to New Zealand

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) today joined Toyota in celebrating the arrival of hybrid cars for commercial sale in New Zealand.

Heather Staley Chief Executive of EECA says today's Toyota Prius launch marks a new era for New Zealand's motor vehicle industry.

"The next few decades will see a huge shift in not only the types of fuels we use but also in the types of technologies that drive our vehicles. Hybrid cars are a significant move forward to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels such as petrol and diesel."

"The transport sector is New Zealand's hungriest energy user, consuming more than 40 percent of energy, and it's the fastest growing. The more we can improve the vehicle technology and reduce the amount of energy needed to get from A to B, the better it is for motorists' pockets, the environment and our economy."

"Toyota has made a real commitment to New Zealand by offering the Prius to our market - the smallest in the world to be given access to the Prius. New Zealand consumers will now have a real choice when buying a motor vehicle," Ms Staley said.

More than 120,000 Prius have been sold worldwide, with it being part of the mainstream market in Japan and the USA in terms of sales volume.

Hybrid cars save energy at every opportunity - when conventional cars would idle, the engines of hybrids actually stop running and start up again at the touch of the pedal. Hybrids also recapture energy lost when decelerating and braking and use this to power the electrical motor.

Ms Staley says EECA is implementing the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy through improving energy choices. For information on how to save energy at home, at work and on the road visit www.energywise.org.nz

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