JONATHAN DOW
Ian Darby feels sorry - not annoyed - when petrol prices rise.
His Toyota Prius is a petrol-electric hybrid and uses just 4.02 litres/100km.
The Taradale man sure is glad he traded in his gas-guzzling 3L V6 Mitsibishi when he was the first person in Hawke's Bay to buy a
Prius a year ago.
"I see these guys driving around in their Remuera tractors, all these mums in their huge wagons - they must really be hurting."
His car can run on either its petrol engine, its electric motor, or a combination of both.
At low speeds it uses its electric motor, like a golf kart. Under load, or at faster speeds, the engine takes over.
You don't plug the electric system in to recharge - it does this itself during the drive, even using energy from the braking system.
Mr Darby, 82, uses his car to get down to the shops and the bowling club but he said it's great on long trips.
And he doesn't mind having to constantly answer questions about fuel consumption from his friends.
Peter Gregory at Greenmeadows Toyota said inquiries about the Prius, which costs $43,500 had "gone through the roof" in the last few weeks.
He said Toyota could not make enough of the "green" fuel cars.
The vehicle's 1.5-litre petrol engine and a electric motor/generator also emits fewer gases than conventional powerplants.
