NEW YORK – Verizon will add another 100 hybrid sedans to its motor vehicle fleet in metropolitan areas across seven states and Washington D.C., conserving thousands of gallons of gas and helping to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. Verizon began replacing gasoline-powered sedans with hybrids at the end of 2007 by introducing 100 units to its fleet. By doubling the number of hybrids to 200, Verizon expects to conserve an additional 16,000 gallons of fuel and cut greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 1.4 metric tons per vehicle annually.

Verizon's new Toyota Prius hybrid sedans, compared with most traditional sedans, can travel nearly double the miles per gallon and emit less than half of the carbon. This supports the company's goal of continuing to reduce CO₂ emissions. The hybrids will be used in California, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

In addition to the hybrid sedans, the company has been using 13 specially designed hybrid service vans in Maryland and Texas since 2007. A company that specializes in hybrid-power systems retrofitted the new vehicles to Verizon's specifications since no domestic motor vehicle manufacturer currently makes vans powered by gasoline-electric engines.

"We are committed to operating an efficient business by continually working to implement practical and innovative solutions that minimize the environmental impact of our operations," said Dan Mead, president of Verizon Services Corp., which manages Verizon's fleet, buildings, and various financial operations such as collections and printing bills. "Using more hybrid vehicles, promoting paperless billing, and raising awareness of the environmental benefits of broadband technology are just some of the ways Verizon is increasing operational efficiency while decreasing its impact on our environment."

Over the past five years, Verizon's energy-conservation, waste-prevention and recycling efforts have yielded an estimated average reduction of 332,295 metric tons in greenhouse-gas emissions. That's equivalent to nearly 61,000 cars not driven for one year.