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What is being called the world's first compressed natural gas and electric hybrid garbage truck was formally unveiled Thursday in Fresno, in what officials called the next step to a more environmentally friendly city.

"This is a [Toyota] Prius with an appetite for trash," said Rene Ramirez, Fresno's Public Utilities Director.

The new garbage truck cost $400,000, about $160,000 more than a traditional vehicle. The city used a grant from the Fresno Council of Governments to fund the difference, Ramirez said.

The truck has been in operation since January, and is used to pick up litter at illegal dump sites around the city.

The truck, which can carry up to two tons of debris, is completely silent when running on battery. During the demonstration, the yellow, green and orange truck rolled silently around the Woodward Park amphitheater, with the sound of the tires on the concrete much louder than the electric drive system.

The new hybrid truck uses compressed natural gas and an electric engine to provide power. Large batteries, which are recharged by plugging the truck in each night, can power the truck for 10 miles. Those batteries also can be recharged by a regenerative braking system similar to that used in hybrid passenger vehicles.

A gasoline engine provides power for the hydraulic trash collection system, and for an air conditioner in the truck's cab. The hybrid truck is expected to offer a 40% improvement in fuel economy, saving the city $1,400 in fuel costs each year over a traditional garbage truck.

"It will also reduce smog-forming emission by 90%," Ramirez said. "It will help us be good stewards of the environment, and provide a good example to the community."

Gus Sfakianos, executive vice president of Odyne Corporation, which built the hybrid drive system, said his company was pleased to be a part of what he called a world-leading effort.

"Fresno is the first city to go out and procure such an advanced product," Sfakianos said. "Now there is a tremendous amount of interest in this system for many types of large vehicles."