Palmerston North - another world first in innovation?

The Palmerston North City Council has voted in favour of procuring a battery operated mobile library bus, to replace the ageing diesel powered library vehicle.

Using state of the art lithium derivative batteries, the Palmerston North mobile library will be wheel-chair and child friendly and will be designed for easy access; without corresponding transport emissions.

Equally important is that the Council's micro hydro electric and electricity generated from sewage gas will power the vehicle; showcasing the use locally generated power to drive local transport. It is noteworthy that a good ninety years after the Palmerston North Borough Council approved the purchase of 5 Walker Electric Trucks from the A R Harris Co. Ltd to haul rubbish, the City has again harnessed locally produced energy. In the 1920's an alternator powered by the City's incinerator - the Destructor was used to charge batteries that powered the rubbish trucks.

Palmerston North again is at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. Oil shocks of the 1970's helped  engender  innovation to the fore in Palmerston North. John Galbraith, Bus Manager and engineers from the Council's Albert Street workshops wrote the "book" on conversion of heavy vehicles to natural gas piped in from the Taranaki field. The Council's fleet of over 300 vehicles were converted to be run on natural gas. Engineers from Palmerston North were invited to Japan, Malaysia and Thailand to help transfer technology and skills to convert heavy vehicle fleets to natural gas.

Sometimes dubbed as "Knowledge City", Palmerston North is  home to Massey University, UCOL, International Pacific College and a number of research and development institutions. A number of businesses in the region have developed technologies that are world class and are deployed in global markets.

Palmerston North's City Library calls itself the Living Room of the City. That it is - centrally located, user friendly and provides access to a rich variety of resources. A team of dedicated staff and volunteers work under the leadership of Anthony Lewis, City Librarian since 1980 to make the Library a focal point of life in Knowledge City. The Mobile Library, which makes 39 stops a week will be soon become a zero emissions vehicle. Congratulations to the Palmerston North City Council for putting into action in a very visible manner the principles of Sustainable City.

Electrical Vehicles Recharging

Hot on the heels of the Sydney announcement for EV charging infrastructure, here is some information from Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA.

The Manawatu Tram Trust has called for a Green Transport Pilot in Manawatu; lessons learned through the Auckland University's participation in the Chattanooga programme will be invaluable.

Chattanooga's CARTA has been operating a fleet of electric buses for free transportation in the city. Now they take an integrated approach to EV recharging as this news source from Chattanooga reports:

"Chattanooga is a key focus of "a very fast track" effort to set up a system in Tennessee to make it more feasible to operate electric vehicles, CARTA Executive Director Tom Dugan said. 

I don't think Chattanoogans understand how huge an effect this is going to have," he told the CARTA board.

Mr. Dugan said steps are rapidly being taken to set up electric vehicle charging sites at locations in Chattanooga, Knoxville and Nashville.

He noted that Tennessee was the only state in the East selected for the ETEC demonstration project......"

Chattanooga is moving forward towards sustainable transport funded partly by President Obama's $2.4 billion fund announced last year.