Why not ask ford? pfft...

[Fev]

New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma has written to Holden Australia, encouraging the company to create a hybrid vehicle to service the State Government fleet.

NSW Regional Development Minister Tony Kelly says hybrid cars would reduce the Government's carbon footprint and encourage users to do the same.

Mr Kelly says the Government's offer will help the development of an Australian-made hybrid car.

"It is significant if the largest fleet owner in Australia gives a commitment that we'll buy their vehicles and a significant number of them," he said.

"It helps reduce their costs [when] they know they have a market for their vehicles."

He says states with large car fleets should follow the lead.

"We would expect that obviously the Victorian Government, which would have the next biggest number, and the Queensland Government would follow our lead," he said.

"But obviously, all governments are looking at ways to reduce their carbon footprint and this is the perfect way of doing it."