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Toyota’s Prius hybrid has become the bestselling car in Silicon Valley.

Through May, 1,627 Prius registrations have been recorded in Santa Clara County, according to R.L. Polk. That puts the Prius ahead of Toyota’s Camry and Corolla and Honda’s Accord and Civic, all cars that outsell the high-mileage, gas-electric sedan nationwide. Locally, the Prius was No. 5 behind those models last year.

“Are we ahead of the curve, or what?” asked Rod Diridon, executive director of the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University, and a Prius owner.

The Prius’ newfound status reflects the continued greening of Silicon Valley. Diridon listed sustained higher gas prices, the availability of carpool-lane stickers
for solo Prius drivers - no more are being issued - and the intelligence of local residents as factors in the Prius’ popularity.

“The intellectual capacity within Silicon Valley is amazing,” he said. “That higher level of education reflects a higher level of understanding of the terrible consequences of global warming.”

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[San Jose Mercury News]

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