Chris Hayward, owner of Ocean Crest, hands over a donated hybrid car to Adam Miller, CMH caregiver and courier driver.

ASTORIA — Columbia Memorial Hospital is reducing its carbon footprint with help from Ocean Crest Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac in Warrenton.

Ocean Crest donated a 2016 Chevrolet Volt to the hospital. The hybrid passenger car will primarily be used by the hospital as a courier vehicle to go between the main hospital campus and CMH Primary Care and Urgent Care in Warrenton. The hospital estimates that the new Volt will offset about 10,400 gas-powered miles per year.

“The Chevy Volt is a green vehicle which uses much less fossil fuel than a comparable gas vehicle. I feel this car will compliment the hospital’s and our commitment to a cleaner environment,” Chris Hayward, president of Ocean Crest.

“We are grateful to Ocean Crest and Chris Hayward for the generous donation of the Volt,” hospital CEO Erik Thorsen said. “CMH is always looking for ways to improve our community’s health. Thanks to this donation, the hospital will be reducing its gasoline use, reducing emissions, and saving money that can go into other community benefits.”

The Volt is powered by an electric motor. When the battery charge runs down a small gas engine kicks in to generate electricity to power the motors until the vehicle reaches a charging station, extending the range capabilities of the Volt. The Volt is capable of going 53 miles all electric.

“We’re proud to donate this Chevrolet Volt to the hospital to assist them in providing quality healthcare to residents of the North Coast” Hayward said. “We wanted to contribute to the hospital in a big way to pay back the community for the support we enjoy locally.”