The Banff Centre has been given a green light to operate the first electric vehicle (EV) legally allowed on public roadways in Alberta after being issued a low-speed vehicle (LSV) permit by Alberta Transportation.
As part of the year-long pilot project, the LSV is restricted to the Centre’s campus, with general use and safety-related data reported to Alberta Transportation regularly. LSVs do not use conventional fuel, but instead can be charged anywhere there is an electrical outlet. The EV is propelled by a motor that draws electricity from 12 deep-cycle batteries, reducing vehicle operating costs by up to 90 per cent.
Currently being used by the Centre’s Physical Facilities department, the EV has a direct drive system that uses regenerative braking to capture additional energy, allowing it to travel up to 50 kilometres on a single charge. The LSV doesn’t require the maintenance associated with internal combustion engines, such as oil changes and cooling fluid replacement, reducing operating costs to approximately two cents per kilometre. Normal maintenance consists of watering the batteries once a month and performing an annual inspection.
The vehicle is a Might-E-Truck produced by Canadian Electric Vehicles, which is priced similar to other gas-powered mid-size work vehicles. The truck has a standard North American automotive suspension and braking system, has a 450-kilogram load capacity, and is limited to a top speed of 40 km/h. In place of a license plate, the Centre’s LSV has a sign that displays the pilot project’s participation between The Banff Centre and Alberta Transportation. Storage compartments located on the back of the truck are constructed of steel and composites. Because the Might-E-Truck produces almost no noise, the vehicle operator is required to use extra caution around pedestrians and other road users close to the LSV.
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