Ford's Electric Vehicle Sparks University's Interest
25 September 1997
Ford's Electric Vehicle Sparks University's InterestDEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 25 -- Students at the University of Michigan may be seeing a new type of vehicle on campus, but the only difference they'll notice is how quietly it runs. The University of Michigan today displayed Ford Motor Company's Ranger Electric Vehicle (EV) and expressed interest in adding several electric vehicles to its fleet. After a 10-day test drive, the university found the Ranger EV ideally suited to the needs of many different departments. "We need vehicles that are reliable and versatile, and the Ranger EV is an excellent fit for us," said Pat Cunningham, manager of the university's Transportation Services department, which operates a 900-vehicle fleet. "Unlike some vehicles, the Ranger is well-suited for a university atmosphere," Cunningham explained. "When our grounds or maintenance crews are maneuvering through a crowded campus, we need a vehicle that's manageable. The Ranger is not too big for that job, but it still has the cargo capacity we need." Besides that, Cunningham added, the university community tends to include many people who are environmentally sensitive and very interested in the latest technology. Based on the best-selling Ranger pickup truck, the electric Ranger is powered by lead-acid batteries and has a driving range between charges of 50 miles. It accelerates from 0-50 in 12.5 seconds, similar to the gasoline-powered Ranger. The vehicle is targeted primarily to utilities, government fleets and key commercial fleets. "We're looking at universities as a terrific opportunity for electric vehicles," said Mike McCabe, worldwide marketing manager for Ford Alternative Fuel Vehicles. "University vehicles need the toughness and durability that Ford trucks are known for, and the Ranger EV is quiet and pollution-free, which are added benefits to a densely populated campus environment," he added. "The Ranger also makes sense because the campus atmosphere generally means lower mileage requirements." According to Cunningham, most vehicles in the Transportation Services fleet rarely leave Ann Arbor, and some rarely leave the University of Michigan campus. Cunningham anticipates using electric vehicles to transport both people and equipment for the grounds, maintenance and engineering departments, and to serve as a courier vehicle for delivering materials between locations on campus. Some vehicles also would be leased to other university departments. "We've had a great reaction among the people that have driven the Ranger in the past week," he added. "It has received an enthusiastic 'thumbs up' from everyone so far." SOURCE Ford Motor Company