officially switched from a six-

cylinder "petrol-guzzler" to a clean diesel model.

Cr Paul Klisaris will soon drive a Ford Mondeo diesel, in preference to a Holden Statesman.

In the Journal last week, Cr Klisaris said he'd opted for a diesel ahead of a hybrid car because it had less emissions and hybrid cars' non-recyclable battery tanks ended up in landfill.

In the Federal Government's Green Car Guide, a Toyota Prius, a hybrid, had a five-star rating based on its greenhouse gas and pollution emissions, compared to a Ford Mondeo diesel with 3 stars.

The Prius had lower fuel consumption figures and almost half the carbon dioxide emissions.

However, the Mondeo was markedly cleaner than a Holden Statesman, which had a 2 star rating.

Cr Klisaris said he had been swayed by other mayors at a Victorian Local Governance Association conference last month.

"I talked to the other members and the majority had swapped their Statesmen for a diesel."

Senior Monash University mechanical engineering lecturer Damon Honnery said the issue of hybrid versus diesel was complex.

He said some 'clean' diesel cars outrated electric-petrol models, but the difference in general was marginal.

"The way you drive your vehicle will actually have more influence.

"You can dramatically alter its environmental credentials."

A spokeswoman would not comment on whether Monash Council chief executive David Conran would swap his Holden Statesman for a hybrid vehicle.