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Page 6« Thursday, October 13
NEWS
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Alternative fuel vehicles speed up Cushman replacement process
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Krista Naposki/ Photographer
The Dynasty It's Electric is just one of the alternative fuel cars being looked
at for use.
Brittany Smith
News Editor
Elon has decided to become more
energy-conscious. Presentations by
Physical Plant for the replacement of
Cushman utility vehicles with alter
native fuel vehicles will take place in
the next few weeks.
Five months ago, the maintenance
facility'began seriously looking into
alternative fuel vehicles for three
reasons, said Keith Dimont, supervi
sor of Automotive Services. The first
reason was driver safety. Physical
Plant will be moving next semester
and will have to drive more on the
roads instead of just on the tram
paths, so they will need vehicles
licensed for the road.
The second reason for the change
was fuel prices. Gas has continually
increased over the last few years.
Elon wants to save money and help
the environment by switching to
alternative fuels.
The third reason is changes in
technology. Changes make it possi
ble to buy alternative fuel utility
vehicles that work better at an
affordable price.
So far, the university has tested
three total electric cars. Physical
Plant and Automotive Services has
tested the Columbia Summit car.
Dynasty It’s Electric car and the
Global Electric Motor model car.
Each model is kept for a week and
tested for battery life and miles trav
eled with 600 pounds of weights in it
to simulate a typical load.
The electric vehicles will replace
the golf carts used on campus
because they work best for light
loads. The electric cars will be used
for the print shop, PC support, mail
_services and transporting guests
around campus.
Replacing the utility vehicles on
campus is a good indication of
where we are and where we still
need to go,” Dimont said.
The next phase of the conversion
would be to pass on the information
about alternative fuel vehicles to
dealers and to the government “We
would push to get them licensed for
the road and for heavier use,”
Dimont said. ■ „
The thiid phase involves
alternative fuel pick-up trucks. >
Physical Plant will be farther av
from campus and because
more parking lots next to aca ^ ^
buildings, there will be a higher n
for a better utility truck.
are
Contact Brittany Smith at p
lwn@elon.edu or 278-7241 ■
)endw
ELON UNIVERSITY
Students
jr Mi M kM»I.HTi3ry
DISCOUNT
ON ALL SERVICE WORK PERFORMED
ON FORDS, LINCOLN MERCURY & MAZDAS
BURLINGTON
g LINCOLN
m
660 HUFFMAN MILL RD 584-1701
Bill Ing
LllKMe
626 Huffman Mill Rd.
584-1701 * 1-800-451-0226
SERVICE DEPT.
HOURS:
M-F 7:30-6:00
SAT. BiOO-linn
jessica Kimmel/ photograp
The alternative fuel cars will replace the Cushman utility vehicles and ^
_ca^ currently used around camous.
How Can YOU Help
Donate to the Fall Break Service
Trip to Gulfportj Mississippi^ ^
Items needed that students will deli'^^
to hurrican victims:
Group A: Baby items
Group B; Basic Clothing-new and unuse^
Group C: First-aid supplies
Group D: Hygiene products
Group E: Unscented bleach, liquid laundrV
etergent, anti-bacterial hand soap,
repellent
the storage trailer in
McMichael parking lot from Monday. 0>^
3 through Wednesday, Oct 12 betweeri
■>1 a .m. and 1 p.m.
For more information contact the
Kernodle Center at x7250