SUB-FEATURE
Davis , director of sales , Leeboy . Lincolnton , North Carolina . ‘ They all seem to be setting goals to reach their own zero carbon footprint . Some have aggressive goals right away and others are setting small ones to reach first .” The industry is increasingly showing its greenness through electrification — electric equipment and machines . “ The use of 100 % electric sweepers is becoming more and more prevalent in the U . S . since starting in Europe ,” stated Sean Brunger , North American sales manager for Schmidt Sweepers with Meyer Products LLC , Cleveland , Ohio “ We have now started electrifying our U . S . models of Schmidt Sweepers . This market will continue to grow immensely , much the same as the EV car market has , over the foreseeable future .” Brunger continued , “ Two models of our German-manufactured Schmidt sweepers have been electrified and are available in North America They were developed from their diesel models , but are now 100 % fully electric . It ’ s possible that manufacturers looking to reduce emissions with large-scale equipment will make the move to hydrogen-powered fuel cells in the future .” There is interest in electric power . “ The street sweeper industry is progressing towards an electric future ,” stated Tim Letts , product manager , Elgin Sweeper , Elgin , Illinois . “ As more states adapt ZEV ( Zero Emission Vehicles ) targets and stricter emissions standards , electric vehicles are becoming a reality . Elgin just debuted the Electric Broom Bear . It ’ s a first of its kind truck-mounted sweeper utilizing an all-electric chassis . It ’ s fully electric and provides an uncompromised performance .” It is electrifying . “ Electric power is here and it ’ s real ,” Davis said . “ When you have some of your largest accounts , equipment dealers , rental companies , and asphalt paving contractors asking us for this type of product , you have to listen and react . It ’ s certainly exciting for our Engineering Department having the opportunity to explore and design this new future and the potential that the electric products bring to helping our customers reach their greener goals .” Electric power is just one facet the asphalt paving market is addressing in its effort to provide greener options to its customers . “ One factor of equipment becoming greener that can sometimes get overlooked is making machines more efficient ,” stated Letts . “ We are always looking for ways to
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[ 23 ] May 2023