Editorial: Hybrid pioneers on the rise

Monday, Jan. 2, 2006 | 7:36 a.m.

Lucky Cab Co. and US Rent A Car are two local businesses that within recent months have converted a portion of their fleet vehicles to hybrid cars. The companies are following the examples set by many local government agencies in converting to vehicles -- school buses, for example -- that run on alternative fuels.

We believe strongly in alternatively fueled vehicles that run cleaner and get better gas mileage. As more fleets convert, setting examples for individual car buyers, the more the trend toward alternative fuel vehicles will take hold.

US Rent A Car, located on Paradise Road near McCarran International Airport, added 20 hybrid cars to its fleet in November, a first step toward a longer-term goal of having 500 rental hybrids in stock. People renting the hybrids will be exposed to the new technology, likely for the first time. This will spread the word about hybrids and likely spur public interest in the vehicles that are 50 percent powered by clean electricity.

Lucky Cab added four hybrid cars to its 120-car fleet three months ago and last week told Las Vegas Sun business reporter Kevin Rademacher that the trial is going well. "So far, so good," company owner Jason Awad said. San Francisco, New York and San Antonio are other cities where taxi companies have integrated their fleets with hybrids.

Awad said the Toyota Prius cars he bought are averaging between 35 and 40 miles per gallon in city traffic, far exceeding the average of the other cars in his fleet, which are conventionally fueled. Awad is taking a risk in adding the hybrids, as their ability to run smoothly in the scorching heat of summer, with air conditioning blasting all day, is an unknown, as are their annual maintenance costs.

But it has always been the risk takers who have led the way. Awad said he was willing to take the risk to do his part in helping to create a cleaner city for his children. We like that can-do attitude and hope that others follow the example being set by Lucky Cab and US Rent A Car.