City of Greenville to Utilize Smart Cars for Parking Enforcement
March 19, 2012
GREENVILLE, SC – March 19, 2012 – The City of Greenville recently purchased two Smart Cars to begin a phased replacement of the five electric vehicles currently being used by the Parking Enforcement Division. The Smart Cars cost $13,200 each, and one of the cars was officially placed in service today. The other is expected to be ready later this week.
The two-seater Smart Car is just over eight feet long and less than five feet wide, making it about half the size of a traditional car. In addition to being safe and maneuverable, the Smart Car is environmentally-friendly. The Environmental Protection Agency rates its efficiency at 33 miles per gallon in the city and 41 miles per gallon on the highway, and 95% of the vehicle is recyclable. “The City is excited about the transition to these fuel efficient vehicles as part of an overall effort to promote a more efficient, safe, clean and friendly parking experience for visitors to downtown Greenville,” said Dennis Garrett, Parking Services General Manager. “Another important benefit of the Smart Cars for the Parking Enforcement staff is the fact that they feature heat and air conditioning, which the electric vehicles do not have.”
Additional Smart Cars will be purchased as funding becomes available and the electric vehicles they replace will be incorporated into the City’s motor pool. For more information on parking in downtown Greenville, visit www.greenvillesc.gov/parking.
