Electric Vehicles for City of Sunderland Community & Cultural Services

Electric Vehicles for City of Sunderland Community & Cultural Services
By Peter Driver

The Environmental Services section of Community and Cultural Services at the City of Sunderland Council have added a fourth electric powered utility vehicle to their grounds care fleet for maintenance duties in the prestigious Green Flag parks around the City.

The new vehicle is another E-Z-GO MPT, distributed throughout Europe by Ransomes Jacobsen, and featuring a totally enclosed cab for maximum operator comfort and a bespoke trailer for carrying equipment, leaves and litter.

Purchased from Hexham based turf equipment dealer, Rickerby Ltd, the MPT's are being used specifically in Mowbray Park, Barnes Park and Herrington Country Park, the 70 acre site reclaimed from the former colliery waste heap of a now defunct coal mining operation.

Len Harfield, Transport Manager for Environmental Services said, "Our Contracts Manager, Bill Price, first saw these vehicles on a visit to SALTEX back in 2004. He was very impressed as they sit well with the City's commitment to a sustainable environmental policy being zero emissions at the point of use. However, they don't just benefit the environment; they are also a very practical work vehicle and being almost silent, they allow visitors to enjoy our parks in even greater tranquillity. They are equipped with regenerative braking, which makes them particularly suitable and safe on hilly terrain".

The MPT 1000 is a rugged utility vehicle powered by a 48 volt electric motor with a carrying capacity of over 450kg. It features a self tipping rustproof polyethylene cargo box and can reach speeds of 22km/h. The specially designed cab provides a totally waterproof and comfortable environment for the operator and the bespoke trailer has a drop down tailgate which acts as a ramp for loading and unloading various equipment.