NYPA’s Electric Vehicles Pass 6.5 Million Mile Mark

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — The New York Power Authority says that in 2006 its fleet of 500 electric-drive vehicles traveled 1.25 million miles, 150,000 miles farther than in 2005.

Since the inception of the electric fleet program in the early 1990s, the NYPA’s electric-drive vehicles have traveled a total of 6.5 million miles. At use in 33 of New York State’s 62 counties, these all-electric and hybrid-electric vehicles replace conventional vehicles in a number of applications, including mail delivery, equipment transport, parking enforcement, and employee and commuter shuttle services.

Since the inception of the program, NYPA estimates its electric-drive vehicles have reduced CO2 emissions by more than 3,000 tons and saved 21,000 barrels of crude oil, which translates into gas savings of almost 400,000 gallons.

Other highlights of NYPA’s clean electric transportation program in 2006 included:

• Introducing four Orion/BAE hybrid-electric buses into service on behalf of the Roosevelt Island Operating Authority in New York City.
  
• Unveiling the Sprinter Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicle in partnership with the Electric Power Research Institute and vehicle manufacturer DaimlerChrysler. This year NYPA will place a plug-in hybrid into service with a major New York City customer.
  
• Replacing diesel-powered ground support vehicles with emission-free electric-drive vehicles at LaGuardia Marine Air Terminal, with additional airport applications planned.
  
• Expanding work with state and municipal governments, colleges and universities to integrate clean, electric-drive vehicles into their fleets.