Electric Cars to Reduce Campus
Air and Noise Pollution
Contact: Karl Luntta (518) 437-4980
ALBANY, N.Y.
(July 29, 2003) -- The University at Albany has received 10
pollution-reducing Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) cars from
DaimlerChrysler and the New York Power Authority (NYPA). The
GEM cars are part of 130 electric vehicles donated to the
State University of New York, Chancellor Robert L. King announced.
"The use
of these donated GEM cars on SUNY campuses will reduce by
thousands of pounds the emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon
monoxide, carbon dioxide and other gases to protect the environment,"
said King. "It will also help SUNY control costs by eliminating
the use of more than 15,000 gallons of gasoline per year."
"I'm
proud of SUNY's and NYPA's role in encouraging the use of
electric vehicles and thank DaimlerChrysler for working with
us to improve the environment by expanding the use of alternative
energy sources," said Governor George E. Pataki. "I
applaud this effort and encourage all participants to maximize
the benefits of these vehicles."
"The Power
Authority has joined forces with DaimlerChrysler because the
GEM electric vehicles are the perfect match for SUNY and many
of our public sector customers. These low-speed electric vehicles
will replace an array of combustion powered vehicles now operating
on SUNY campuses," said Eugene W. Zeltmann, NYPA president
and chief executive officer.
"As the
largest electric vehicle producer in the United States we're
happy to enter the New York market. In addition to zero emissions,
the GEM offers lower maintenance costs, greater efficiency
and the ability to operate on narrow thoroughfares such as
campus roadways," said Barry Carr, GEM representative.
The State University
of New York (SUNY) is the single largest recipient through
the NYPA/GEM donation program with 130 electric cars for use
at 26 campuses; from Alfred in the Southern Tier to Plattsburgh
in the North Country and Stony Brook on Long Island.
University
at Albany is receiving 10 GEM electric vehicles: five two-seat
utility vehicles and five four-seat passenger vehicles. With
the receipt of the vehicles, the University will retire eight
gas-burning utility vehicles, reducing annual combined emissions
of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide pollutants
by more than 1,000 lbs. Carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced
by 83 tons per year. UAlbany will use them for facilities
services and repairs, athletics events and services, parking
lot management and transportation of campus mail and small
equipment.
The GEM, smaller
than a "normal" automobile, is a five horsepower,
two-and-four passenger vehicle with a top speed of about 25
miles per hour. It meets both National Highway Safety Administration
and New York State traffic safety standards for use on private
property and public roads with speed limits up to 35 miles
per hour. The vehicles are equipped with three-point seat
belts, safety-glass windshield, wipers, headlights, turn signals,
and mirrors.
A joint effort
between the New York Power Authority and DaimlerChrysler will
place 300 zero-emission GEM neighborhood electric vehicles
in service at more than 40 locations around New York State.
Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), a DaimlerChrysler subsidiary,
has established a donation program in cooperation with NYPA
to help state and local government agencies, public parks,
state universities and colleges, and other non-profit organizations
use non-polluting electric vehicles in an effort to promote
clean air and reduce noise pollution.
NYPA is among
the national leaders in promoting electric drive vehicles
and have previously placed more than 360 vehicles in service
with customer fleets. NYPA electric transportation projects
include electric station cars for commuters, all electric
school buses, small urban electric vehicles as well as electric
delivery trucks. It is the nation's largest supplier of electricity
for public transportation, supplying the power for New York
City commuter and subway trains.
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