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

[Jay Morris]

I'll interview Bruce Walden about this.
Jay



>From: "Pauline Bartolone" <paulinebartolone at hotmail.com>
>To: imc-litbl at lists.groogroo.com
>Subject: [Imc-litbl] City of Urbana Experiments with Electric Vehicle
>Date: Mon, 04 Feb 2002 11:41:42 -0500
>
>
>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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>>Yahoo! Auctions Great stuff seeking new owners! Bid now!
>
>
>
>
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