New hybrid vans will replace these older 15-passenger gasoline vans. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks
The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation has ordered 10 15-passenger hybrid vans to increase miles per gallon and reduce vehicle emissions. Parks is the first department in the city to upfit its vans with a hybrid electric drive system, according to Paris Apollon, chief of operations for Citywide Services, NYC Parks.
The new vans will be equipped with XL Hybrids’ XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System and replace older gasoline vans used to transport crews to various parks sites citywide. The department expects to see a 20-25% reduction in emissions by transitioning to the hybrid vehicles.
Parks hopes to expand the hybrid program to include cargo vans and 20-passenger buses. “Our metrics team will analyze the data from the system’s data collection unit and based on the results of their analysis, we will formulate our future plans accordingly,” Apollon stated.
The first two passenger vans are expected to be delivered in two months.
