Agenda - 12-15-1998 - 5c - Laserfiche WebLink

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10 G_. Low Cost/High Benefit: Rapid urbanization and increased numbers of gasoline engines have degraded our air quality and demand new transportation initiatives by local and state government. The Project seeks the most economically sound approach available to us for our Town fleet at. the present time. The cost of new EV's is quite high due to their limited production levels. Conversion of suitable older vehicles will become increasingly affordable when demand reduces the Price of parts. Conversion provides a cost - effective alternative to scrapping otherwise sound vehicles with bad engines. Conversion can be accomplished by "shade tree, backyard mechanics" with limited instruction and resources. 7. Potential for high total benefits in North Carolina: The benefits of the Project for North Carolina include: • EV's which serve as "mobile billboards" operated by Town staff, calling the public's attention to them; government leading byex MIe- a demonstration project creating the potential for large scale acceptance of EV's; • the recycling of vehicles by conversion which extends their practical life, thereby reducing the volume of solid waste; • a reduction in the use and disposal of petroleum products- EV motors do not use oil, thereby eliminating leaks or spills of -petroleum products onto parking lots and highways, which become runoff into rivers and streams. S. Length of Project: Step One of this proposal is to obtain two vehicles for the Town's fleet and convert them to EV's. It should be possible to complete the conversions, publicize, and teach the process well within a one -year time frame. Vision for the Future: In the near future, we would like to explore the feasibility of an uptown EV shuttle running between Main Street in Carrboro and Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, the business districts and most congested streets in the two towns. Public buses owned and operated by Chapel Hill operate in Carrboro, but riders are more than 80 percent UNC students commuting to the campus. The general public continues to drive one - occupant vehicles which crowd the streets and require space for parking, making it increasingly more difficult to shop uptown, to eat, to attend functions or go to UNC. Our goal is to bring about a joint effort between the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, business interests, environmentalists, the University, and DENR to establish an uptown EV shuttle. It will reduce the number of vehicles on our city streets, improve business, and help improve the air.