Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson and other city officials gathered on River Street today to show off North America’s first hybrid streetcar. The event also included  more traditional city vehicles that, like the street car, are running on biodiesel from Refuel Savannah. Also on display were bicycles from the city  fleet and an electric scooter used by city’s film office.

Elected officials including Jeff Felser, Mary Osborne, Mary Ellen Sprague and Tony Thomas took turns pumping biodiesel into the streetcar. Savannah Alderman Larry Stuber, who spoke at the press conference, serves on the National Executive Committee of Climate Communities.

 The press conference was followed by a “Climate Action Parade,”which included the bio diesel powered vehicles, bicycles and scooters. The event was a local recognition of International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives’ National Climate Week.

WTOC, WSAV and WJCL were on the scene, but as usual the most thoughtful and thorough coverage was provided by Mary Landers of the Savannah Morning News.