News

April 26, 2008

Honk if Your Car Uses Alternative Power

Sun powers Chicago cafe's delivery car

If the bright-yellow color of Chicago's Sopraffina Marketcaffee's new catering vehicle isn't enough to grab customers' attention, then its alternative power source might-it runs on 100 percent solar-electric power.

The modified ZAP Xebra truck was unveiled on Earth Day. The truck runs on electric power during the day; solar panels on the roof allow it to recharge. Then at night, the vehicle recharges via a standard outlet.

Dan Rosenthal, president of The Rosenthal Group, which owns five Sopraffina Martketcaffes and other operations, had the vehicle modified for catering in downtown Chicago. "The economic impact on companies is marginal and the environmental impact is huge. Electric vans should become the vehicle of choice for city-based deliveries," said Rosenthal. "Every minute our van is on the street it is telling our potential clients that we are making a serious effort to help the environment."

The solar-electric vehicle can reach 40 MPH and runs almost silently. It does not use gasoline, diesel fuel, oil or require the regular maintenance needed by conventional cars. It costs about 3 cents per mile to operate.