More than three years ago I wrote about shuttle vehicle idling. That column was prompted by a flight attendant who wrote to me about the many hotel shuttle vehicles she has to ride and the drivers’ practice of keeping the engine running at all times. While idling is often something out of our control as drivers (hybrids and electric-powered automobiles do address this issue successfully), we can do some things to minimize idling—turning the engine off when not actually driving anywhere and not using restaurant or coffee shop drive-throughs.
In the article I posted this past week on electric shuttle vans, I talk about idling. Electric vans do “idle” but there are no emissions at all. “There is no reduction in charge,” says Christine Smith, vice president of sales & marketing for Zenith Motors. In fact, whether “idling” or not, there are no direct emissions from an electric van.
Trying to find someone who will sell you an electric shuttle van—one that can carry up to a dozen passengers and that has a practical range—is not easy. In past years I have met folks from two companies selling electric shuttle vehicles at trade shows. One of those companies is no longer in business and the other company asked for a letter to be sent to them (by snail mail—yes, snail mail) before they would chat with me for this article.
Vans in Testing Stage at Two Hotels
Fortunately, Christine from Zenith Motors agreed to chat with me. Zenith Motors was launched by William Yung III, the same Mr. Yung who is president and CEO of Columbia Sussex. Columbia Sussex owns and operates hotels in the United States and Caribbean. Just a couple of months ago Zenith Motors was launched and electric vans are currently being tested at a couple of hotels.
The van that Zenith Motors is selling has a range of 80 miles with a full load (12 or 13 passengers). It can be fully charged in eight hours (or four hours depending on the charger) and can be “topped off” during down times during the day.
Of course I am curious to learn the results of the testing and would love to know whether or not a vehicle with an 80-mile range would work for your property. Zenith Motors’ website includes a comparison of the energy costs of their van and a gasoline-powered van and the difference is dramatic. The environmental impact difference is also substantial. Yes, recharging a van consumes potentially dirty power from the grid but there are no direct emissions at all and an electric van does not need oil or transmission fluid.
Finally, an electric van has the potential to make quite a first impression on your guests—from the airport (or other location) to your door.
Have comments? I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com, or at (216) 848-1406.
Green Lodging News Adds Green Bull Products as Directory Partner
Green Lodging News welcomes Green Bull Products, Inc. as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. The Green Bull Drain Maintenance System provides a highly effective, non-toxic, biodegradable, bacterial grease-digesting treatment. Green Bull puts to work billions of colony-forming bacteria to digest fats, oil and grease (FOG), leaving behind water and inert carbon. Green Bull helps avoid drain back-ups and reduces build-ups in grease traps, interceptors, and sewage ejectors. Odors are neutralized at the source by reducing grease. Green Bull refills contain naturally occurring bacteria designed to treat drains on a time-metered basis, providing round the clock drain protection, odor control, and clean drains. Call (866) 503-1698, e-mail Mike.McNerney@greenbullproducts.com, or go to www.greenbullproducts.com for more information.
Who is Your Sustainability Champion?
Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Planning Advertising for 2013?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2013. Many excellent spots are available on the website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2013 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. A media kit can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Social Networking Sites
Green Lodging News now has 1,360 Twitter followers. Thank you to all of those who follow our tweets. In addition to following us on Twitter, be sure to bookmark the Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. More importantly, participate with your comments. Green Lodging News is also on Facebook. Be sure to “Like” us there. Green Lodging News now has 443 Facebook followers.
As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
