ALBANY (1010 WINS)  -- Driving a ``green'' car on the Thruway can save motorists some green.

The Thruway Authority has approved a plan that will give discounts to motorists who drive the most fuel-efficient hybrid cars and have the E-ZPass toll tags.

People driving the Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid or Toyota Prius models can qualify for the Thruway's Green Pass program, which gives the owners of those brands a ten-percent discount on their E-ZPass bills. That's on top of the ten-percent discount all E-ZPass holders already get.

The Green Pass tags will be available for purchase starting April first.

Governor Pataki says the Green Pass program is part of the state's effort to promote the use of energy-efficient vehicles and reduce air pollution and dependence on imported fuel.

The Thruway Authority has also approved Pataki's request for a one-year suspension of tolls for recreational boaters on the Erie Canal system.