California State Parks Adopt Electric Vehicles and Electric Motorbikes

[jpak]

http://www.azocleantech.com/Details.asp?newsID=4243

When most people think of California State Parks, they envision tall redwood trees or long sandy beaches. They usually don't think of dirt bikes or four-wheel drive vehicles. But these too can be found in State Parks.

In fact, the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division of California State Parks is widely recognized as a leader in off-highway vehicle recreation management. Exercising this leadership role, California State Parks approached Quantya, a leading electric motorcycle manufacturer, to partner with the OHMVR Division to promote electric off-highway vehicles.

In order to meet the state's long-term renewable energy and climate change goals, the OHMVR Division supports the development of alternative fuel vehicles for the off-road industry. Recognizing the budding clean-tech boom in California, Quantya has been seeking a way to introduce their new eco-friendly motorcycle to the State. So, the two organizations decided to partner in furthering their mutual goals. Quantya agreed to provide California State Parks with an electric motorcycle for two months at no cost. In exchange, California State Parks agreed to provide direct feedback on the bike's performance capabilities and relevance as a patrol vehicle. Both parties see this exchange as an opportunity to highlight the advances in electric technology for off-highway vehicles which will ultimately help to reduce the nation's dependence on fossil fuels.

The new Quantya Dual Sport "Strada" was developed as a patrol vehicle for law enforcement. "This was a great opportunity for us to learn from State Parks widely recognized experience, and to gain direct feedback on how we can enhance our vehicle's functionality," said David Lodermeier, Technical Services Manager for Quantya USA. The bike's electronic design and silent operation make it perfect to ride in natural settings without causing disturbance and for campground patrols.

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