In a climate of surging fuel prices and environmental concern, it's cost, more than technology, which still presents a major barrier to the adoption of electric cars.
But the mailman could play a role delivering a battery-powered, zero emission future on the roads.
Canada Post represents one of the largest transportation fleets in the country.
Its armada of 7,000 mostly gas guzzlers traveled than 76 million kilometers of roadway last year, burning up 24 million litres of fuel and pumping out 59,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the process. Those figures are separate from the 45,000 tonnes of CO2 that Canada Post's rural and suburban carriers emitted as part of their work.
As part of the flagship fleet of a federal government that's looking to encourage fuel-efficient vehicles in the consumer market, the typical Canada Post delivery truck isn't exactly a beacon of progress in the public sector.
But with clearly defined, relatively short delivery routes in urban centres, today's already available electric engine technology could be well suited to Canada Post's needs.
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Will Canada Post Deliver the Electric Car?
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By Irwin Loy
The Tyee - Canada, June 15, 2009
Straight to the Source
