Zelekha allows gov�t fleets to lease hybrids

Accountant General Dr. Yaron Zelekha has decided to allow government ministries and agencies to operate hybrid cars from leasing companies for their fleets. 50 hybrid cars will be leased under the initial pilot. Half the cars will be Toyota Prius and others will be Honda Civic Hybrids.

The hybrid cars will be offered to eligible senior officials. The Ministries of Finance; Industry, Trade and Labor; National Infrastructures; Transport; and Communications; and the Israel Tax Authority will participate in the pilot.

The pilot will examine the economic impact of operating a fleet of hybrid cars and the added cost of buying them compared with regular cars. The government currently pays NIS 1,720 per month for a 1.6-liter sedan. The reported cost of a hybrid is NIS 2,054 per month. In addition, hybrids are classified in the Group 4 use value, and employees using them will have to pay a higher use value.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on October 22, 2007