GRAND COULEE DAM, Wash. -- A pilot project will introduce more than two dozen zero-emission, low-maintenance utility vehicles to the Grand Coulee Dam.
The Electric Utility Vehicles (EUVs) have lithium ion batteries expected to help lower greenhouse gas emissions at the dam. The cars are powered by renewable energy generated at the dam itself.
"In the last couple of years, Grand Coulee has added about 130 employees. We're trying to introduce these electric vehicles as a way to offset our current gas fleet vehicles," said Matt Tillman, Grand Coulee's Administrative Officer. "Grand Coulee spends over $100,000 on fossil fuel each year. We're expecting to be able to cut that consumption by 10 to 15 percent."
Tillman said the 27 EUVs can handle a 1,000 pound payload and reach a top speed of 25 MPH. The cars are expected to help solve a vehicle shortage for making short trips around the 18 square mile campus.
"They're not golf carts. They're built for an industrial environment, like Grand Coulee, and that's how we're going to use them," said Tillman.
The cars are made in Minnesota, and will be one of the largest American-made fleet of electric-powered vehicles.
