The Montana State hospital, after urging from Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, is set to receive and operate a purely electric powered truck, supplied by California manufacturer ZAP.

The vehicle, part of ZAP’s electric vehicle lineup, was purchased by the state after Governor Schweitzer had first seen a similar vehicle during a fourth of July Parade.  The purchase being in line with the governor’s initiative which asks state agencies to reduce their fuel consumption by 20 percent by the year 2010.

To be used for mail deliveries and other on-campus errands, the ZAP Xebra can seat two people, travel up to 40 miles per hour and has a range up to 40 miles, before the the Xebra’s batteries can then be plugged into a standard 110-volt AC outlet for recharging.

Commenting on Governor Schweitzer’s interest and the Montana State Hospital’s purchase of a ZAP Xebra, the Chief Executive Officer of ZAP Steve Schneider said that "Interest is coming from everywhere for the Xebra, even places you wouldn’t expect like the Big Sky state where people are just as concerned about high gas prices." 

A statement from Montana State Hospital also lauded the Xebra, eluding to the vehicles environmental benefits.  "Even after counting emissions from electric generating plants," said the hospital, "Xebras produce 98 percent fewer pollutants than gas cars."

The new Xebra will be delivered to Montana State Hospital on Monday, with the hospital estimating the operating costs of the vehicle at just 1 to 3 cents per mile.

Source: Marketwire

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