In the year 2000, the County's General Services Department purchased its first hybrid vehicle, a Toyota Prius, for the motor pool at the Administration Building in Santa Barbara. A County driver survey was initially conducted to measure overall satisfaction and experience with this hybrid vehicle, noting a 98% satisfaction rate with County employees. The Prius averages about 39 miles per gallon (mpg), compared to 22 mpg for the comparable Ford Taurus that is offered in the pool.

The County's Motor Pool fleet now has three Toyota Prius* hybrid cars, including one each in the motor pools at the Calle Real Center in Goleta and the Betteravia Government Center in Santa Maria. The County has been approved to receive grant funds through the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments to purchase 10 more hybrid vehicles. The grant funding will pay 90% of the vehicle cost and the County will pay the remaining 10%.

There are also 25 compact cars (Saturn SL2's) on order for the Pool. County staff will look for hybrid vehicles from domestic vendors for future purchases.