Eventually up to 21 brightly colored NEV electric cars and trucks will quietly travel the city streets during a one-year state subsidized clean air demonstration program.
To promote cleaner air in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley, the city proposed replacing short commute trips taken in gasoline or diesel fueled vehicles with "clean" electric vehicles. The California Energy Commission agreed to fund about half the cost, or $4,048 towards each vehicles via an $85,000 grant for up to 21 NEVs.
In addition, the Aqua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is partnering with the City in the program, driving two 4-passenger NEV electric cars in downtown Palm Springs.
The electric vehicles have a top speed of 25 mph, can legally be driven in California on any road posted 35 mph or less, have a range of 30 miles per charge and can be charged at any standard 110 volt electrical outlet. The city also plans to have the NEVs adapted to "Fast Charge" capabilities, recharging in 10 minutes rather than 7 to 8 hours for normal 110 volt charging. A "Coffee break" charge can double the NEV range. It will cost about 45-cents per day (about $9 a month) to operate each city NEV and in a month's time a typical city NEV will use about half the energy consumed by a household refrigerator.
The city and the Tribe purchased 10 initial NEVs from Global Electric Motors (GEM) via Quality Car Co. of Midway City, Ca. Seven additional GEM NEVs are to be purchased by other local grant partners. GEM was acquired by DaimlerChrysler Corporation on Dec 1 and has recently leased the majority of the McClane building on Indian Avenue at Interstate 10 in Palm Springs as a distribution center for GEM NEVs.
GEM was the only NEV manufacturer that met California Air Resources Board and DMV regulations when the city sought bids to purchase the vehicles. Several other companies, however are making efforts to obtain state approvals, so the city is holding off buying four vehicles until those approvals are met by the other manufacturers.
When the one-year demonstration program ends the city's vehicles will be a permanent addition to Palm Springs' fleet. The city already has two electric Ford Ranger pickup trucks and recently added five (silver) Nissan Hypermini electric cars to it's fleet.
Having one of the largest NEV fleets in California comes on the heels of another first for Palm Springs - being the first city in the country to provide electric bicycles to the public during the South Coast Air Quality Management District grant-funded E-Bike program in 1997 and 1998.
This Neighborhood Electric Vehicle short-commute municipal fleet demonstration program is being monitored by several California environmental organizations concerned about reducing air pollution in the state. The NEVs cost about 3- to 4- cents per mile to run (about 1/3 the fuel cost of typical gasoline powered vehicle), but with zero pollution.
CONTACT
Robert Mohler Grants and Government Affairs Manager City of Palm Springs (760) 323-8250
Phil Yenovkian MSRC Staff (909) 396-3043 pyenovkian@aqmd.gov