Media Release

7 December 2010

Battery Powered Mobile Library a World First

In what is believed to be a world first, the Palmerston North City Council has voted to procure a Battery Operated Bus to replace its aging Mobile Library vehicle.

The current Mobile Library uses a diesel operated bus and is scheduled for replacement following more than 20 years of service. When considering the options for a replacement vehicle, the Council sought advice from Professor Ralph Sims of Massey University who supervised a feasibility study on alternative drive-train technologies.

Palmerston North City Mayor, Jono Naylor, said the deciding factor in selecting the Battery Operated Bus was to strengthen the Council’s commitment to lead the way by reducing fossil fuel use in the City.

“The Battery Operated Bus itself will be amongst the first to be operated by a Council in New Zealand, but we believe there is nowhere else in the world that is using a Battery Operated vehicle for their Mobile Library.”

“While the initial purchase price is slightly higher than a conventionally powered vehicle, we hope that other Council’s will closely watch how this technology works in practice, and our example could see these buses spread throughout New Zealand and significantly reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.”

Palmerston North is proud of its status as one of the leading environmentally sustainable cities in New Zealand with its commitment to renewable energy through wind farms and waste-to-energy programmes.

ENDS

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