America OKs Hybrids: Toyota Sells Millionth Prius

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2011 Prius. Original photo credit: Toyota

What was once marginal has become mainstream. Earlier today (April 6), Toyota announced the sale of its millionth hybrid Prius in the United States.

Aside from electric vehicles, the Prius is the most fuel-efficient car in the America according to the Environmental Protection Agency. It is powered by a combination of a gasoline engine and an electric motor, and gets an estimated 51 miles per gallon in the city and 48 on the highway. The Prius was the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle and has been on the U.S. market since 2001.

The push to the millionth Prius on the road got a boost from rising gas prices over the past few months. According to the Associated Press, Toyota sold nearly 43,000 in the first quarter of this year over 60 percent of total hybrid vehicle sales nationwide, and 52 percent more than they sold during the same quarter last year. Correspondingly, the current nationwide average price for a gallon of regular gas is $3.71, up 88 cents from a year ago.

Last month, Toyota announced the sale of the 3 millionth Prius worldwide.

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Live Science Staff
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