Some of the Honolulu Police Department's blue and white patrol cars are going green. HPD officials unveiled six new Toyota Camry hybrid vehicles. Police hope to cut fuel costs and help protect the environment, too.

"The cost of fuel is so high right now and the second reason is to be environmentally friendly," explained Maj. Frank Fujii.

The department has roughly 1,600 vehicles and spends about one out of every six dollars in its operating budget on fuel. That adds up to nearly $5 million dollars a year.

"The Crown Victorias that we currently use get about 10 to 15 miles a gallon depending on how they're used. We expect these vehicles to get about 33 miles to the gallon," Fujii said.

The hybrids cost $28,000 each. The Crown Victorias sell for $26,500.

"Where we expect to see a lot of savings, I think, is when the car is idling, when we're out on scene where we need to have the cars running and the blue lights and everything still running on the car," Fujii said.

There is no cage in the back so the new patrol cars won't transport prisoners. If the six-month pilot project runs smoothly, HPD's fleet could get the green light to go green.

"If it's successful, everybody wins. The police department runs more efficiently. We make better use of technology. The community wins because we're winning," said Fujii.

Each car will be assigned to a different district from the Windward Oahu to Waianae starting on Monday. The project is being paid for with federal funds from the sale of seized property.

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