West Virginia diocese adds first hybrid car to its fleet

Published: 2004-02-04

WHEELING, W.Va. (CNS) -- The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston has added its first environmentally friendly hybrid vehicle to the fleet of cars used for travel for church business throughout the diocese, which covers the entire Mountain State, as West Virginia is called. A Toyota Prius was added to the stable of 88 cars used by employees of the diocese; six of them are "pool cars" shared by several diocesan offices. Diocesan employees drive the pool cars some 145,000 miles in a year -- enough to circle the globe nearly six times. "This is the first of what I hope will be many 'super ultra low emission vehicles' used by the diocese," said Father John Gallagher, diocesan chancellor and vicar general, who decided in late 2003 to see how a hybrid gas-electric vehicle would perform in the diocesan fleet. "The diocese should realize significant cost savings with this car," Father Gallagher told The Catholic Spirit, the diocesan newspaper. "More importantly, a commitment to earth-friendly technologies shows a public commitment to environmental justice issues and authentic, sustainable development."

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