Electric vehicle to take over GHDPS parking patrol duties

The three-wheeled Cushman used to patrol parking areas in Grand Haven will soon be replaced by a more economic vehicle. At its meeting on Tuesday, Grand Haven City Council approved a bid of $13,370 from Deur-Speet Motors of Fremont to provide the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety with its new cadet vehicle - a Chrysler GEM e2. "We had in the budget around $25,000 to get a replacement for (the Cushman),' said Lt. Joe Boyle of the GHDPS. "I felt we could save some money by looking around.'

Becky Vargo

Grand Haven

Jul 8, 2011

The GEM e2 is a two-passenger fiberglass vehicle that will go up to 35 miles on a charge, according to the company’s website. It runs on six 12-volt batteries and can be charged by plugging into a 110-volt household outlet.

The new vehicle will be used primarily by cadets on parking enforcement patrol and at special events during the summer. It will not be used to transport people, Boyle said.

Online: www.gemcar.com

To read more of this story, see today’s print edition or e-edition of the Grand Haven Tribune.

Comments

hgfase

Fri, 07/08/2011 - 3:45pm

Curious, how much, and where the revenue is utilized from the Grand Haven Parking Violations Bureau ?

Is this Grand Haven's secondary industry connected with bringing folks to the Downtown District ????

migpilot

Mon, 07/11/2011 - 8:03pm

Here is a great example of the largess and waste in Grand Haven's budgeting process. 25k for a golf cart. Why would that much be budgeted. How about a scooter for 1200 or two for 2400. Twice the coverage and a fraction of the cost. Whats wrong with the cushman? You can overhaul and rebuild for next to nothing. With the electric vehicle you will be replacing batteries every two to three years at a a substantial cost, The lifetime of the batteries will be less due to the fact that the vehicle will be idle in the winter months. The board (taxpayer) would surely benefit from some professional advice.

http://gemcar.blogspot.com/