Los Angeles County Mayor Michael D. Antonovich announced that the County’s Internal Services Department has purchased 64 hybrid passenger sedans to replace gasoline-powered non-emergency vehicles in the County fleet. On July 1, the Board of Supervisors approved directed County departments to purchase the hybrid cars by the end of 2006 to conserve fuel and improve air quality.

Hybrid technology vehicles use an onboard computer to shift power from the engine and motors, and to automatically determine when to charge the battery, as well as the most efficient use of the engine or the electric motors (or both) based on driving conditions.

In addition to hybrid technology for fleet vehicles, Supervisor Antonovich has advocated for a regional light rail transit system and as a Director of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, has initiated programs to improve air quality including off-peak delivery hours for trucks, traffic signal synchronization and market-based strategies for industry to reduce emissions and alternative fuel use.   

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) operates the largest compressed natural gas (CNG) bus fleet in the nation, with nearly 2,000 buses.