NATIONAL REPORT—Gasoline-powered passenger vans have been the norm for transporting guests for a long time. Unfortunately, these types of vehicles are environmentally inefficient. They consume gasoline, produce air and noise pollution, require oil and transmission fluid for upkeep, and are particularly disadvantageous while idling. While the world’s automakers have been rolling out electric automobiles the last few years—the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, etc.—few companies are making electric passenger vans.
In the past few months, Zenith Electric, through its Zenith Motors, has begun producing an electric shuttle van in Crestview Hills, Kentucky. Zenith is owned by William Yung III, who also is president and CEO of Columbia Sussex, the owner and operator of hotels in the United States and Caribbean. According to Christine Smith, vice president of sales & marketing for Zenith Motors, two hotels are currently testing Zenith vans that can transport up to 12 to 13 people at one time.
The Zenith shuttle van, fully charged and fully seated, has a range of about 80 miles. When not in use it can be charged or “topped off.”
“When it comes to these types of vehicles, they spend the majority of the time idling,” Smith says. “You have peak times when you run people. In-between peak times there is time to recharge.”
No Oil, Transmission Fluid Needed
When “idling,” the electric van does not draw power from the battery; only when the “gas” pedal is pressed does it do so. The van does not require oil or transmission fluid. Like any vehicle, routine maintenance is required—tire upkeep, refilling windshield washer fluid, etc.
“There is a huge fuel savings,” Smith says. “You also avoid emissions.”
According to the Zenith website, the cost of gasoline for a gasoline-powered van over 300,000 miles (at $4.00/gallon and 8 miles per gallon) would be $150,000. The energy cost for Zenith’s electric-powered van over the same distance could be as low as $24,000 or as high as $60,000, depending on the electricity rate.
The van currently being offered by Zenith Motors is $79,500 after a federal tax credit. “Many states are offering additional incentives,” Smith says. Zenith Motors offers 30-month ($3,000 plus tax) and 60-month ($2,250 plus tax) lease options.
Tiger Truck Industries International, Inc. also offers an electric model passenger van for up to eight passengers. The Tiger Star Electric Passenger Van comes with an on-board charger and on-board battery watering system. (At press time, Tiger Truck had not responded to my interview request.)
Zenith Motors will be displaying its shuttle van at the Green Fleet Conference & Expo in Phoenix from October 1 to 2 and at the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show from November 10 to 12 in New York City.
Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
