http://www.energyefficiencynews.comAfion Media Ltd US airport tests wind-powered electric vehicle <p>Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has installed ten wind-powered electricity generators and is using them to power an electric utility vehicle.</p> <p>The ten 1 kW Aerovironment wind turbines on top of the airport fire station are being used to power a fully-electric Cushman Motors e-Ride exv2 utility vehicle, which has a range of 45-55 miles and costs around $200 a year to run.</p> <p>The Minnesota airport is testing the viability of using wind-generated electricity to power electric vehicles at the airport to reduce fuel costs and emissions.</p> <p>If the test indicates that the set-up could be financially and operationally sustainable, the approach could be expanded in the future.</p> <p>&ldquo;Testing the potential of wind power and electric vehicles is part of an ongoing effort to explore cost-effective, environmentally sound alternatives in the development and operation of Metropolitan Airports Commission airports,&rdquo; says Metropolitan Airports Commission director Jeff Hamiel.</p> <p>&ldquo;We will monitor how well the wind-power generators and the electric vehicle perform at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to determine whether they might play a bigger role in the airport&rsquo;s future,&rdquo; he adds</p> <p>For further information:<br /> <a rel="external" href="http://www.mspairport.com/MAC/">www.mspairport.com/MAC/</a></p> <p><em><img width="200" height="135" class="left" src="/client_files/default/msp_electric_vehicle.jpg" alt="alt" />The electric-powered utility vehicle, which produces no emissions, being tested at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. (Photo: Metropolitan Airports Commission)</em></p> http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/power-generation/i/2074/ 2009-05-11T00:00:00-00:00 Renewables, transport, road, electric vehicles, wind power, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport