The City of North Bay is getting its first fully electric vehicle and it’ll be in full view of the public when in use.
Council has given the green light to buy an electric Zamboni ice resurfacer.
“We have had hybrid vehicles, part-ethanol, part-gas over the past few years,” says Councillor Chris Mayne, Chair of Infrastructure and Operations. “But this is our first fully electric vehicle and we are hoping it will be one of many in the future in the city.”
Mayne says there are benefits to the bottom line too.
“We are committed to greening our community but just as important we see long-term savings going to electric rather than gas,” says Mayne.
There aren’t any specifics on the cost savings but a staff report says an electric ice resurfacer was tested and evaluated at Memorial Gardens in 2019.
“The evaluation revealed potential savings with the elimination of fossil fuels and reduced maintenance on the electric machine,” states the report. “Lithium-ion batteries provide a zero-emissions alternative to other equipment, improving air quality to create a safe and healthy environment for staff and patrons.”
The staff report notes that the city’s oldest front line ice resurfacer is beyond its useful life and will require extensive repairs and maintenance if it continues to remain in constant operation.
The cost of the new machine is just under $160,000 plus HST.
