DESIGN director Tony Allies set Angela Ganner, corporate business manager at Kings Toyota, a rather unusual challenge - to find him a car which would reconcile his religious beliefs with his high business mileage and personal lifestyle.

Luckily for Angela she had just the answer - the Toyota Prius.

Tony travels extensively around the UK on business and spends a lot of his spare time on the road as well.

A believer in the independent Bahai Faith, Tony is chairman of the Portsmouth Bahai Community and is currently working to develop the faith across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Concern for the environment is high on the agenda of the Bahai faith and Tony was keen to consider options which would reduce his personal burden on the environment while enabling him to continue leading a very active lifestyle.

The Toyota Prius offered the ideal solution. It matched the space that Tony was used to in his already economic 50mpg executive diesel, but reduced CO2 emissions by half.

The Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) technology in the Prius intelligently combines a clean and powerful VVT-i petrol engine with a torqueful electric motor.

The HSD selects the best operating mode for the car in any situation. Its advanced aerodynamics and lightweight materials, combined with the emissions free electric motoring, make it one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles in the marketplace.

The Prius already meets EU guidelines set for 2012 and produces 89 per cent less smog-forming emissions than an average new car with prices starting from only £17,545 on the road.

The Toyota Prius has recently been awarded "Car of the Year 2005" after being chosen from a list of seven finalists by the members of the European Car of the Year Jury. It also took four accolades in the International Engine of the Year awards in Stuttgart, scooping more trophies in one year than any other manufacturer in the awards' history. Other recent achievements for the Prius include Top Gear's Family Car of the Year 2004 and Fleet Excellence Awards Eco Car of the Year 2004.

"The Prius operates on electric power around town and being automatic is easy to drive. I can now arrive at meetings relaxed and comforted by the knowledge that I have not added to the pollution in the town or city I am visiting," explains Tony.

The reduced company car tax and 65mpg economy are additional benefits which Tony estimates will save him more than £1,500 per year. As a bonus, trips to London will now cost less as the Prius is exempt from congestion charges and only needs to be registered once a year.