NEWS
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During Massive Snowstorm, Electric Vehicles Helped Plow the Way Contact: WHITE PLAINS—Thanks in part to two Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid trucks, and several other electric-drive vehicles, all courtesy of the New York Power Authority (NYPA); the City of White Plains was able to handle the worst winter storm of the season last week a little easier. The City of White Plains, one of the first municipalities in the state to participate in NYPA’s electric transportation program, was chosen last year to take part in NYPA’s Green Zones program, a statewide program that encourages municipalities to replace gasoline and diesel fueled vehicles and equipment with electric and hybrid-electric alternatives in limited access areas such as parks and college campuses. Commissioner of Public Works/City Engineer for White Plains Joseph Nicoletti, Jr., P.E. said the two Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid trucks performed flawlessly and were used to plow many miles of city streets “under the harshest of conditions, while saving fuel.” GM Fleet Account Executive-Government Chuck Compagnoni added, “The GM Hybrid pick-up truck has been very popular with many municipal agencies, not only for its fuel saving, but also for its stationary generator capability.” The Silverado Hybrids are equipped with accessory outlets that can be used to power outdoor tools and other equipment. The Chevrolet Silverado Hybrids arrived just in the nick of time as they were delivered to White Plains on Friday, Feb 10, just two days before the storm. Joining the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrids in snowstorm duty, were Ford Hybrid Escapes and John Deere E-Gators, already in use in White Plains. The Ford Hybrid Escapes do not have plows, but were used in White Plains to “chase snow plow trucks around the city, spotting areas that need additional attention and making field judgments as to the conditions of the roads and bridges, so that decisions could be made easier to dispatch additional plows or salt trucks,” added Nicoletti. The John Deere E-Gators, a small off-road utility vehicle, were able to get to side walks and park entrances, spreading salt in areas that other vehicles would not be able to access. NYPA’s Green Zones program identifies and analyzes current fleet vehicles and equipment in a municipality and works with municipalities to review current vehicle and equipment inventories and provides co-funding for the purchase of electric-drive alternatives. Seven other similar Green Zones projects were started in other parts of the state by NYPA in 2005. “The City of White Plains is moving forward in adopting all new technologies that can save us money and are good for our environment, we are fortunate to have the New York Power Authority partnering with us,” said City of White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino. “We are convinced that putting such economical, energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly vehicles on our roadways will show, by example, that this is the best and most affordable alternative to the conventional vehicles used by motorists today,” said Timothy S. Carey, president & chief executive officer, NYPA. Note to Editors: Color photograph and caption available. |
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