Powered by lead-acid batteries, the electric trucks will be tested as a potential alternative to petroleum-fueled vehicles, explained Brett Ray of Los Alamos' Property Management Group. They were delivered to the Johnson Controls Northern New Mexico heavy equipment shop at Technical Area 6.
"The 1999 Ranger EV produces no smog-contributing emissions," said Ray. "In addition to the environmental benefits, electric vehicles cost less to operate, require less maintenance and have improved energy efficiency compared to gasoline-powered vehicles of similar type and size."
Ray said the electric vehicles will be assigned to personnel at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) at Technical Area 53, and to personnel from the Environment, Safety and Health, Materials Science and Technology, Engineering Sciences and Applications and Facility Waste Operations divisions.
Two years ago, the Laboratory tested one of the pickups at LANSCE before deciding whether to lease electric-powered vehicles for its fleet, said Ray. Such a lease requires DOE approval, he said.
Sandia National Laboratories also leases 10 electric-powered vehicles.
The electric truck is ideal for certain Laboratory technical areas with defined areas, such as LANSCE. The trucks have a range of about 60 miles and a top speed of about 75 mph, according to information provided by Ford Motor Co.
The Laboratory is testing the pickups to comply with the 1992 Energy Policy Act that mandates that 75 percent of replacement vehicles be alternative fuel vehicles. In the Laboratory's case, about 210 vehicles would have to be alternative fuel vehicles in fiscal year 2001, Ray said.
The act defines alternative fuel vehicles as electric-powered, compressed natural gas, ethanol or vehicles that can run on either compressed natural gas or gasoline, said Ray.
Currently, 244 of more than 1,400 fleet vehicles at Los Alamos are alternative-fuel powered, mostly ethanol/gasoline. The Laboratory is working closely with the Department of Energy and the Clean Cities program to install an ethanol fueling station in Los Alamos.
The trucks' 39, eight-volt sealed lead acid batteries sit on a special compartment underneath the frame of the truck. The truck can be plugged into a regular 220 volt circuit; charging takes about six hours. A power cord from a 220 volt outlet attaches to a plate on the front grille of the truck.
Twenty charging stations have been installed strategically around the Laboratory.
A gauge on the dashboard indicates the number of miles the truck can be driven before recharging. The range varies with driving conditions. The truck has no gas tank and doesn't require motor oil.
Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and Washington Group International for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.