The latest addition to the Warrnambool City Council’s passenger fleet, a Hybrid Mitsubishi Outlander, has plenty of green credentials and is proving to be a popular choice among staff. 

The council is working in conjunction with Warrnambool Mitsubishi dealer Callaghan Motors, leasing the SUV for 12 months, with an option to extend for another year. 

The council’s fleet team leader Terry Malone said it was mostly being used for work around town associated with the Archie Graham Centre. 

He said council staff based in the civic centre were also able to book the car for use. 

“It just plugs into a normal 15 amp wall unit,” Mr Malone said. 

“On batteries alone, you get a 50-kilometre range, when they run out the petrol motor kicks in and it charges the batteries up again. 

“We’ve got it on a lease to trial it and see how it goes. 

“There are a couple of Hybrid Toyotas in the fleet so this is taking it that little bit further.” 

The Outlander is the world’s first plug in hybrid SUV and boasts a fuel economy of 1.9 litres per 100 kilometres.

The lease deal includes insurance, servicing and registration. 

Cr Peter Sycopolous told last month’s council meeting that having the hybrid car in the fleet was fantastic.

Cr Brian Kelson said there should be charge points around the city to encourage more people to move to the technology which he said was big in the United States. 

Meanwhile, new data shows the free one-hour parking trial in the Parkers Car Park, on the east-side of Liebig Street, is continuing to gain momentum. 

Data from April 20 to August 15 shows there were 18,025 free sessions taken up in the car park, an average of 1060 per week. 

Use of the Easy Park smart phone app had also increased since January where only $374.98 was paid via the app. 

In June the figure had risen to $2,051.97.