September 1, 2010
Province of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg Team Up to Study Unique, Low-speed Electric Vehicles
A new partnership between the Province of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg will explore the benefits of low-speed, electric utility vehicles in a controlled, safe manner around the university’s downtown campus, Innovation, Energy and Mines Minister Dave Chomiak announced today.
A tender is being issued for the purchase of a special electric vehicle, the cost of which is being shared by Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Conservation and the University of Winnipeg.
“We are interested to see how the low-speed, electric utility vehicle performs as part of the range of potential options in the sustainable transportation sector and we are keen to observe how this battery‑powered vehicle handles our climate,” said Chomiak. “We hope to learn more about how this vehicle, which substantially reduces greenhouse gas emissions, could be used by the Manitoba government as well.”
“The University of Winnipeg is committed to creating a sustainable campus in all aspects of our operations, from food production to energy efficiency,” said Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, president and vice‑chancellor, UWinnipeg. “One of our key objectives is to achieve zero net greenhouse-gas emissions. Piloting the use of electric vehicles to connect people across our campus in partnership with the Province of Manitoba allows us to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to green technologies.”
UWinnipeg will test the low-speed, electric utility vehicle on the university campus including limited access to local streets and other vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Low-speed utility vehicles, that have a maximum speed of 40 kilometre per hour, do not meet Canadian motor vehicle safety standards so testing must be done in a controlled setting. The province is considering regulations governing the use of such vehicles and the university setting provides the opportunity to demonstrate the vehicle’s use in a safe manner, said Chomiak.
The Manitoba government is also currently involved in a plug-in hybrid vehicle project, testing five Toyota Priuses. The plug-in hybrid operates primarily on electricity, with a small gas engine as a backup. For example, the vehicle can be plugged in at home, recharged at night and then used to commute to work the next day on electric power.
In addition, there are 110 other hybrid vehicles in the fleet of vehicles the province owns and operates, compared to just 11 in 2005. These hybrid vehicles use a gas engine assisted by an electric motor.
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