CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Over the next six months the four newest members of Team Charleston can be seen zipping across the base's roads, doing their part to combat the Global War on Terrorism.
They are the Miles ZX40 and ZX40s -- Department of Transportation certified all-electric, zero-pollution low-speed vehicles. They are capable of moving at speeds of 25 mph for 50 miles before the need of a recharge. The average cost of a "fill-up" for these vehicles is $1.40. That means these vehicles have the equivalent efficiency of a gas powered vehicle that gets 100 miles per gallon.
The ZX40 is powered by a 5.4 HP engine and accelerates from 0 to 18.6 mph in 11.92 seconds. The ZX40s is the sports car version of the ZX40 that goes from 0 to 18.6 mph in only three seconds. The S version is powered by an 8.45 HP engine and costs around $14,500.
Being all-electric, not only does it save the Air Force money in fuel, it also absolves the need for oil changes, spark plugs and other maintenance costs associated with gas power engines.
"I'd say the overall best thing about these vehicles is the cost savings," said Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, 437th Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Management Flight superintendent.
"Other than the fact it is electric, the ZX40 drives just like a normal car. Since it doesn't have a conventional engine, it's also very quiet," said Staff Sgt. Joshua Krautner.
Staff Sgt. Joshua Krautner and Staff Sgt. Daniel Moore, special purpose vehicle mechanics with the vehicle management flight, have both attended training at Morgantown, West Virginia's National Alternative Fuel Training Consortium. This allowed for Team Charleston to perform maintenance on these state-of-the-art machines if the situation arises.
"Electric is going to take over; it has the potential to save resources and manpower. Instead of having one mechanic for every ten vehicles, you could have one for every sixty," said Chief Master Sgt. Robert Downing, 437 LRS Vehicle Management Flight chief.
1st Lt. Matthew Wallaart, 437 LRS Vehicle Management Flight commander, spearheaded Team Charleston's involvement with electric vehicles.
"They are on loan from Miles Automotive Group based in Malibu, Calif., for a 6-month trial period," he said. "During this time, various agencies and squadrons will utilize these vehicles in everyday operations to determine their feasibility for future Air Force purchases. The Air Force is currently looking to acquire 7,000 LSVs by 2008."
The push for new fuel efficient vehicles is Air Force wide. Through the EPAct of 2005, Congress is pushing the Air Force to move to a 30 percent LSV fleet by 2010. The objective: to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and decrease air emissions.
"This is the beginning of things to come," said Sergeant Reyes.