Kaukauna Utilities has purchased a low speed Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV).

Kaukauna Utilities has purchased a low speed Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV).The car has a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour and will be used to replace a standard automobile for short trips around the city. Typical gasoline powered car costs are about $0.40 to $0.50 per mile, but the operating cost of the NEV is less than five cents per mile and is completely pollution free.

The purchase of this vehicle along with the construction of our new Leader in Energy Efficiency Design, (LEED) certified office building helps us fulfill our goal of becoming a leader by example in reducing energy consumption and pollution.

KU held a design contest in all the Middle Schools of the KU Service Territory. Over 90 entries were submitted. The three students, whose designs won, were all from the 8th grade class at Holy Cross.

Anne Cops designed the river turning into an electric cord which runs along the side and back of the vehicle. Vince Zornow designed the power house and water wheel on the hood and Claire Schuster came up with the name “River Runner”. KU’s resource of hydro power from the five hydro plants along the Fox River and the purpose of driving the NEV around town fit right in with the design created by these three 8th graders. They will each receive a $100 U.S. savings bond for their winning design.

For more information on the NEV check out the ZENN website at www.zenncars.com or go to www.greenautos.com