As of today, Minister Villu Reiljan is testing Toyota Prius, a hybrid car with a low impact on the environment. During this week, the Minister uses a vehicle that looks like an ordinary middle-class car but is powered by an eco-friendly engine. The Minister considers it important to encourage sustainable transport and finds that the testing of the hybrid car by the Ministry of the Environment is symbolic: In order to reduce the environmental impact of transport, it is important to adopt innovative, clean and ecologically effective technologies this is the key to balanced development. According to the Minister, the whole Europe is on its way to adopting the view that environmental aspects are not a hindrance to economic development but an opportunity to increase competitiveness. This can be achieved namely by the introduction of innovative solutions which increase economic efficiency, competitiveness and environmental friendliness. Toyota Prius, the middle-class car tested by the Ministry of the Environment uses a hybrid drive system combining an electric and a petrol engine. The car offers good driving quality and minimum fuel consumption. The Hybrid Synergy Drive system allows Prius to reach the speed of 100 km per hour in less than 11 seconds, while offering a fuel consumption of only 4.3 litres per 100 km on the combined cycle. Considering the growing number of cars, it is necessary to produce more eco-friendly vehicles to reduce CO2 emission and the use of fossil fuels. Since Toyota is highly conscious of environmental issues, the new hybrid-drive Toyota Prius combines fuel economy, environmental friendliness and good driving quality. Sustainable transport reduces the emission of harmful substances to the extent that can be tolerated and recycled by the environment, thus minimising the use of non-renewable resources. The Ministry of the Environment is happy to see that more and more means of sustainable transport are becoming available. Further information: Raido Toonekurg Monika Kopti |
