The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has added two electric vehicles (EV) to its fleet as part of a new pilot program. Adding the two EVs will help the department assess the sustainability, ease of use, and maintenance of these vehicles compared to the department’s traditional fossil fueled light duty fleet vehicles.

The two Ford Focus Electric vehicles have a range of roughly 70 – 100 miles per charge, and will be based at DelDOT’s Danner Campus in Dover where an EV charging station has been installed. Replacing a gas car with an electric vehicle is estimated to save 4.7 metric tons of carbon emissions annually.

“When most people think of DelDOT vehicles, they think of large trucks like our snow plows and construction equipment which are largely diesel powered. Not all of our work requires the use of large, fossil fuel vehicles, so this is an opportunity for us to be more environmentally conscious and evaluate the usage of EVs as a fleet vehicle,” said Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan.

The addition of the two electric vehicles, costing $27,299 each, brings the total number of EVs in the state fleet to a total of five, with the other three currently in use by DNREC’s Division of Energy and Climate. DelDOT is thankful for the technical assistance, cooperation, and financial support of the Division of Natural Resources (DNREC) in the installation of the charging stations at the Danner Campus, and will continue to work with DNREC on environmentally friendly initiatives.

In recent years, states such as Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, as well as numerous municipalities have launched initiatives to incorporate EVs in their fleets to reduce emissions and fuel costs.

DOVER (May 17, 2013) – With the roar of full-sized NASCAR racers in the background, more than 80 middle and junior high school students from 10 schools participated in Delaware’s 19^th Annual Junior Solar Sprint Competition on Wednesday, May 15 near the Monster Monument at Dover International Speedway. DNREC’s Division of Energy and Climate organized the event to educate students about renewable energy and the environment through a creative and exciting competition.

Students designed and built model cars powered by solar photovoltaic cells and competed for trophies and the honor of having the fastest and best-designed cars in the state.

This year, the checkered flag went to Beacon Middle School in Lewes for the fastest car, while Caravel Academy in Bear took first place for best design. 

Participating schools also included: Holy Cross School, Dover; Milford Middle School and Milford Academy, Milford; Providence Creek Academy and Smyrna Middle School, Smyrna; Sanford School, Hockessin; Skyline Middle School and Springer Middle School, Wilmington; plus Smyrna Boys & Girls Club.

“Photovoltaic technology makes use of the abundant energy from the sun,” said Crystal Nagyiski, Solar Sprint event coordinator, DNREC Division of Energy and Climate. “We use photovoltaic technology as solar cells to power our watches and calculators, but solar power can do much more – by providing electricity for transportation and to heat and cool our homes and businesses. A solar electric panel provides a reliable, abundant and environmentally-smart source of energy.”  

Solar technologies diversify the energy supply, reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuels, improve air quality, and offset greenhouse gas emissions. A growing solar industry also stimulates our economy by creating jobs in solar products manufacturing and installation. 

The event included many of the same highlights and challenges of racing full-sized racecars, including a rain delay. Racers also competed in time trials and test runs prior to the start of the competition, and pit crews came equipped with spare parts for possible repairs. 

At the end of the day, the winning schools were:

Race Results: Fastest car

1^st place: Beacon Middle School, Lewes – Car #18

2^nd place: Skyline Middle School, Wilmington – Car #5

3^rd place: Springer Middle School, Wilmington – Car #1

4^th place: Skyline Middle School, Wilmington – Car #6 

Best Design:

1st place: Caravel Academy, Bear – Car #17

2^nd place: Holy Cross School, Dover – Car #15

3^rd place: Springer Middle School, Wilmington – Car #2

4^th place: Springer Middle School, Wilmington – Car #1

5^th place: Milford Middle School, Milford – Car #11

For more information on solar and other alternative sources of energy and the programs of the Delaware Division of Energy and Climate, visit www.energy.dnrec.delaware.gov.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 43, No. 205

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