HOUSTON -- Going green and saving taxpayers money -- that seems to be the new motto of Houston Mayor Bill White as he announced on Tuesday that the city took delivery of its 500th hybrid vehicle, KPRC Local 2 reported.

By the year 2010, White wants to have 1,500 hybrid vehicles in the city fleet.

Most of the new vehicles are Toyota Prius models, but the city is also investing in two hybrid dump trucks and has three hybrid garbage trucks on order.

"Whenever we can reduce our fuel consumption, that's a savings," said White.

According to accounts at City Hall, the 500 hybrid vehicles will save the city 226 gallons of fuel annually, at a total savings of $818,000 for taxpayers.

"We don't know how high fuel is going to go, but because we've thought ahead with our hybrids, we're able to save a lot of money in our fuel bills," said White.

The city wants to save money and become an example for all Houstonians who may be considering making energy-saving changes in their own lives.

"The city does set a good example, and what I would encourage us to do at this point, is we have many citizens that would like to be good examples, but they need to be equipped with the information on how they could do better," said Houston city councilwoman Pam Holm.

Also on Tuesday, the city announced that it would begin taking delivery on wind power for 25 percent of the city's total energy load.

"As the energy capital of the world, Houston is committed to becoming the clean, sustainable energy capital of the world as well," said White.