[Imc-litbl] City of Urbana Experiments with Electric Vehicle

[Pauline Bartolone]

This would make a fantastic life in the bike lane! Does anybody want to 
collect audio on this and either I or Jay will produce?

Somebody could call the City building and ask to speak to Chief 
Administrative Officer Bruce Walden.

Anybody?

Pauline

>From: Michael Walcher <solaraycer at yahoo.com>
>To: IMC-newsroom <imc-newsroom at urbana.indymedia.org>, IMCprint 
><imc-print at urbana.indymedia.org>
>Subject: [Imc-newsroom] City of Urbana Experiments with Electric Vehicle
>Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2002 20:17:17 -0800 (PST)
>
>
>I found this article on the city of Urbana's Website.
>
>http://www.city.urbana.il.us
>
>This would make a great story if we havent covered it already !
>
>Michael Walcher
>
>In June of 2001 the Urbana City Council enthusiastically endorsed the 
>purchase of an electric hybrid vehicle. The vehicle will be tested for 
>fleet applications. With a fleet of 147 vehicles, the City of Urbana 
>consumes approximately 100,000 gallons of fuel per year. Chief 
>Administrative Officer Bruce Walden has been initially reviewing the Toyota 
>Prius for possible use in the Urbana City fleet. The Prius is a 
>gas/electric hybrid with gas mileage promoted by the manufacturer at 55mpg. 
>Presently, the Toyota Prius (4-seater) and Honda Insight (2-seater) are the 
>only gas/electric hybrids available; up to eight models will be available 
>in 2004.
>    Fuel economy is the principle benefit of the hybrid vehicles. Emissions 
>are much lower as well, since the smaller engines put out less emissions 
>and, in the case of the Prius, the engine completely stops when the vehicle 
>is stopped, idling, or in reverse. According to Walden, “The engine 
>stopping at intersections is the most unusual, and sometimes disarming, 
>characteristic of the vehicle for passengers. They are convinced the engine 
>died.”   The Toyota Prius comes with a 100,000 mile, seven-year warranty on 
>the nickel-metal hydride battery, located under the rear seat. “I’m often 
>asked ‘where do you plug it in?’” says Walden, who always responds with the 
>details of how the gas engine and regenerative brakes provide the charge 
>for the battery. According to Walden the hybrids likely have applications 
>to many of the fleet needs of any municipality. “The vehicles achieve the 
>best mileage when utilized for in-town driving on local streets. We will be 
>assigning this vehicle to parking and nuisance enforcement this spring.” 
>The vehicle utilizes the electric engine most often when under 25mph.   
>Generally the vehicle handles just like any small car, according to Walden. 
>“I got about 55mpg on a recent trip to Chicago and I had plenty of power 
>for passing and cruising with traffic.” It does get significantly better 
>mileage, however, when the air conditioning is turned off. The dash has a 
>computer monitor screen that continuously displays which power system is 
>operating and fuel mileage. “At first, this monitor is a bit distracting as 
>the driver and passengers are fascinated by the technology,” said Walden.   
>In the next 24 months, Dodge and GM will have available truck electric 
>hybrids. “I hope to acquire an early model for use in our Public Works 
>fleet. I understand there will be ‘contractor specials’ with electrical 
>outlets on the sides of the vehicle for small tools and equipment for use 
>in the field.”
>Generally, there is widespread acceptance of this vehicle by City 
>employees, particularly given its low-end torque, overall performance and 
>high tech appeal.
>
>
>
>---------------------------------
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