Chicago Botanic Garden’s electric shuttle bus begins operation
The Chicago Botanic Garden inaugurated its 14-passenger Solar Electric People Mover from Northbrook, Ill.-based The Solar Electric Vehicle Co. (SEVC) during the opening of its Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center. The Chicago garden’s use of the no-gas, no-emissions people mover is part of SEVC’s special program to give the people movers to public and private parks, zoos and gardens.
The vehicles are paired with environmentally conscious companies and individual donors to help sponsor eco-friendly public transportation at those locations. “We are extremely proud to have our vehicle be part of the Chicago Botanic Garden’s environmental sustainability program,” said SEVC CEO Larry Spatz in a statement. “This is the perfect example of how architecture, natural environments and transportation can co-exist in an eco-friendly way to help save the planet.”
Municipalities, corporate parks, resorts, stadiums, arenas, airports, college campuses, medical centers, marinas, military bases and other government agencies have used SEVC’s multi-passenger public transportation vehicles, which are approved by the U.S. General Services Administration. The Solar Electric People Mover can drive up to 60 miles on a single charge using its solar panel system, which gives constant supplemental charging throughout the day. The vehicle plugs into a standard 110-volt outlet and can be fully charged overnight.
In addition to solar electric vehicles, SEVC offers comprehensive consultation to institutions seeking to reduce their transportation carbon footprint while implementing logistical cost savings measures.