EVLN(Newport Beach boasts the largest local S. CA government EV fleet)

[Bruce {EVangel} Parmenter <brucedp@iname.com>]

EVLN(Newport Beach boasts the largest local S. CA government EV fleet)
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EV - Chicago Tribune (TRIB) AUTO SHOW NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF., PLUGS IN
Jenifer B. McKim, Knight Ridder/Tribune.  02/17/99 (Copyright 1999 by
the Chicago Tribune)

This city has acquired 17 electric vehicles since June and boasts the
largest such fleet of any local government in Southern California. 
"The range of the automobiles are suited here," said David Niederhaus,
general service director for the 14-square-mile city.

People who follow the nascent electric-car industry say this type of
use--government agencies or businesses with defined borders and
routes--might be the most logical. The vehicles have a range of about
125 miles and need eight hours to recharge. And government workers
don't often travel more than 80 miles a day.

Newport Beach launched the program with money designated for
alternative-fuel vehicles. The $313,000 project includes a $450-a-
month, three-year lease for 17 vehicles--12 Honda EV Pluses and five
Toyota RAV4-EVs.

The city will study whether the higher cost of leasing electric cars
as opposed to leasing or buying conventional vehicles is worth it. The
electric-car leases come with insurance, free maintenance and roadside
service. The city also hopes to save $10,000 to $15,000 a year in
gas.

Either way, the city comes out ahead, because the funding would have
been returned to the state if it weren't used for alternative- fuel
vehicles. Also, the South Coast Air Quality Management District will
refund 25 percent of the cost.

Employees say driving the cars is similar to driving gas cars, except
for the eerie silence and surprised looks they draw.  On the job, code
inspector Steve Hook said, the silence of the car can be an asset. "I
was joking, you can sneak up on contractors and be all over them
before they know what happens."
 ...
 http://www.chicago.tribune.com  bestes@tribune.com, ChiEd@aol.com
Copyright 1998 Chicago Tribune   1-800-TRIBUNE Tel# 312-222-3232 
Distributed by Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News.
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____________{Statements may not be my Employer's}  BruceDP@iname.com 
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