The Aspen, Colorado, police department has announced plans to add 10 Toyota Highlander hybrids as police cruisers. The hybrids will replace the department's Volvo cruisers. The vehicles are expected to be on the job by the beginning of ski season in the mountain resort town.

The new vehicles are expected to cost $35,000 each with an estimated additional $5,000 for police outfitting. Police Chief Richard Pryor predicts that the move to hybrids will reduce fleet carbon emissions by 20 tons and save approximately 2,000 gallons of gasoline per year. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates fuel economy for the Highlander Hybrid at 27 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. That compares to 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway for the Volvo XC-90 cruisers.