By Cindy Brookshire
For PotomacLocal.com
Manassas, Va. — A Chevy Volt – the City of Manassas’ first electric car – will be in daily field use by a Utilities Department meter technician. The meter technician’s job is completing service requests by utility customers for connects, disconnects and transfers, as well as other metering functions. The meter technician used to work out of a Ford F-150, filling up on gas weekly to complete work assignments. The Chevy Volt requires a nightly charge and fill-up of the 10-gallon gas tank once a month – if that.
“We’re very excited to have it in our fleet of vehicles,” said Beth Eiserman, Meter Services Supervisor, whose only concern is loading and unloading tools, meters and equipment from the smaller vehicle. “The cost savings in fuel consumption is worth any adjustments.”
Mike Morgan, a vehicle maintenance technician in the city’s award-winning vehicle maintenance facility, which handles 450 vehicles and equipment (including 68 school buses), installed the Chevy Volt’s emergency lighting and radio equipment in January and was getting ready to add the finishing touches.
“This is a dedicated electric vehicle, meaning it will run until it needs a charge, up to 40 miles of travel, and then it will switch over to the gasoline engine,” explained Morgan. That is in contrast to the Ford Escape hybrids Morgan is putting on the road for the Manassas City Police Department. Hybrids switch between the battery and the gas tank at the same time.
“The main advantage of the electric car is the fuel economy and the environmental impact,” added Morgan. “The Chevy Volt scores a number 10 on fuel economy in greenhouse gas ratings. It gets 37 miles per gallon on gas, and 94 miles per gallon electric equivalent. That’s impressive.”
The City of Manassas continues to search for new ways to provide the same or improved level of service with less impact on the environment.
In 2012 the city is scheduled to install five charging stations for electric vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf or Chevy Volt throughout the city – part of a federal grant award the city received from ChargePoint America, a U.S. Department of Energy program through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The charging stations will be installed at City Hall and the VRE Parking Garage in Old Town Manassas and the Public Works Facility at the corner of Portner and Breeden Avenues.
The purchase of the electric vehicle is contributing toward the city’s Clean Fleet goal of 10% by 2020. Currently the city has 3% Clean Vehicles in its fleet.
To learn more about City of Manassas Utilities, read the February 2012 Utility Connection newsletter on the city website at www.manassascity.org.
Recent Stories
Police are investigating after an 18-year-old man was fatally struck by a train early Wednesday morning near Manassas Drive.
Potomac Local News is giving away free tickets to one of the most powerful shows of the summer—Next to Normal at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts—and entering is as simple as filling out a form.
This charming 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom rambler in Fauquier County just saw a price reduction and is ready to welcome new owners looking for peaceful country living with modern comforts.
Fireworks will light up the sky over Garrison Park this Sunday as the Town of Dumfries hosts its annual Independence Fireworks Show.
The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is your destination for all arts and culture activities in Northern Virginia. Find a concert, play, poetry reading, or exhibition in your neighborhood—many events are free and family-friendly!
Are you part of a performing arts group, school, or cultural organization? You can add your events and classes, too. The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is free and easy to use.
Your attendance at local arts events supports small businesses in our community and the art makers who help make Fairfax and its surrounding region so vibrant. With the ArtsFairfax Events Calendar, you can stay curious and stay local to plan your next arts adventure!
Go Ape, America’s leading aerial adventure park provider, is proud to unveil a revitalized experience across its iconic Zipline & Adventure Parks. This refresh goes beyond physical upgrades; it reflects a renewed mission to foster meaningful connections between people, nature, and self.
“Go Ape has always been about thrilling treetop adventures,” says Chrissy Very, Senior Director of Marketing. “Now, we’re redefining what it means to truly connect: through purpose-driven outdoor experiences that inspire courage, reflection, and joy.”
As access to public outdoor spaces becomes more limited, Go Ape steps in to bridge the gap with immersive, inclusive, and wellness-focused adventures for individuals, families, and groups.
Christmas in July
Volunteer Prince William will be holding a fun-filled Christmas in July event at Heritage Brewing Co on July 26th from 12pm until 6pm with all proceeds going to support the 2025 Untrim-A-Tree and Senior Basket Program. Untrim-A-Tree and Senior Basket
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
