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It may take time for VIPs to leave the limo, but a change in legislation now allows hybrid cars to join green-conscious chauffeured hire car fleets.

"Previously only luxury vehicles with a minimum wheelbase of 2800mm could be operated as hire cars in Canberra. No hybrid vehicles on the market met this minimum wheelbase requirement," said Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, John Hargreaves.

"Hybrid vehicle technology uses a conventional petrol or diesel engine supplemented by electric power. This means the vehicle is able to have a smaller engine, offering better fuel economy and lower vehicle emissions."

At this stage, the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, Honda Insight, Lexus RX400h and Lexus GS450h have been approved.

But will the chauffeured hire car industry, traditionally reliant on Holden Statesmen and limousine models, take to the "green" cars?

"I can’t see it happening straight away," says David Willetts, owner of Canberra CBD Chauffeured Transport and ex-treasurer of The Limousine Association.

"People expect a limousine or a statesmen, not other shaped cars. There isn’t something similar enough yet in the hybrids. Canberra Airport also states that it only wants limousines in certain pick up points."

With time though, Willetts thinks the cars will take off within the industry. "I don’t see why not – it’s a forward step for the environment."

For Linda Kimber of Brindabella Chauffeured Limousines, there’s nothing but hope. It was she who took the proposal to the Legislative Assembly, wanting to purchase the Lexus RX400h for her fleet.

"I believe people will come on board once they see the community response to this vehicle," says Linda. "The minute I turn up at the Hyatt or a similar pickup, passengers immediately get excited by the technology and start asking questions. They can’t wait to get in it."

Khaled Elsayed, national sales manager, Lexus corporate fleet, said that a Sydney company had just purchased 10 RX400h for use as limousines. "There’s also a lot of interest in the LS hybrid due later this year. The target market for that car is specialised luxury hire. We have people from the Middle East and US who have asked specifically to be driven in a hybrid vehicle."

Lexus say 14 of the RX400h and nine GS450h have been sold in the ACT since their launch only months ago. "These vehicles can accelerate as fast as a Porsche but have the consumption of a Corolla," said Khaled.

"They’re a great model because of their impressive performance – being green is an added bonus."

Being green does seem to cost a bit more, admits Linda, but she says this is something she’s been prepared to offset.

"Any change in regulations that make it easier for people to use low-emission cars is a good thing," says ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey, "it will reduce petrol prices and greenhouse gases".

"But for any real reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions the ACT Government needs to apply more specific tools such as stamp duty and registration concessions for lower emission cars".