Quick! If you can get over to West 43rd St. by 10:45, you'll witness what will undoubtedly be an awkward presentation featuring several NYT executives and some car people unveiling the Times' new "plug-in hybrid sprinter van" before it takes its very first drive from Midtown to the Times printing plant in Queens. Truly, this is an historic moment, but really, until Sewell Chan gets a Prius we're not convinced that the paper is really doing anything to help the environment. The internal memo (what, no press release?) after the jump.

THE NEW YORK TIMES LAUNCHES THE FIRST PLUG-IN HYBRID SPRINTER

VAN ON THE EAST COAST AND FIRST OF ITS KIND IN NEW YORK STATE

VAN TO TAKE ITS MAIDEN RUN FROM MIDTOWN TO

THE NEW YORK TIMES PLANT IN QUEENS

WHAT:
The first plug-in hybrid medium duty vehicle on the east coast and in New York State will be unveiled.

The New York Times will collect data for three years for the New York Power Authority, DaimlerChrysler, Electric Power Research Institute and ConEdison. The Dodge Sprinter plug-in hybrid vehicle can operate up to 20 miles in zero-emission electric mode or as a traditional hybrid with a diesel engine. A plug-in hybrid lends itself to a commercial application because it can be recharged with a 220-volt outlet overnight. The New York Times vehicle is among the first in a test fleet operating in the United States.

WHO:
Executives from The New York Times, DaimlerChrysler, New York Power Authority, Electric Power Research Institute and ConEdison.

WHEN:
Wednesday, April 11

10:45 a.m.

WHERE:
In front of The New York Times building

229 West 43rd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues

New York City