The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) has purchased two Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid electric cars, further reducing the environmental footprint of its fleet. One of the Volts is assigned to General Manager George S. Hawkins.

“I’ve had my eyes on the Volt since General Motors announced its launch,” Hawkins said. “Having the General Manager drive an electric car is another way to draw attention to DC Water’s environmental work. But it also shows ratepayers our concern for the bottom line, with gas prices in the District among the nation’s highest.”

The Volt can travel 35 miles on all-electric power and an additional 344 miles on its small gasoline engine. When running on electricity, the car achieves the equivalent of 93 miles per gallon, according to the United States Department of Energy. The District of Columbia has the nation’s third highest gas prices, averaging more than $4.20 per gallon.

DC Water operates 245 light vehicles of 8,600 pounds or less. The Authority made its first alternative-fuel vehicle purchase in 1999, with 29 E85-powered Ford Ranger pickup trucks. Today, 30 percent of the light vehicles are powered by alternative fuels, including 11 that run on natural gas and four hybrids. Several years ago, DC Water also began phasing out its sport-utility vehicles in favor of the more economical Chevrolet HHR.

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