Spring Break
Mobilizing green tech
SJSU team creates award-winning zero-emissions vehicle
John Ellis
Issue date: 12/4/08 Section: Features
"It looks bulky, but it is really easy to drive," said Reena Obediah, a senior mechanical engineering student working on the project. "I was impressed by how smooth the pedaling was."
URBAN USAGE
Hsu said that ZEM isn't intended to replace all vehicles. Instead, it's meant to relieve heavy traffic congestion within cities and provide a greener option for off-street locations such as campuses and resorts.
"It is a great value for urban commuting," Hsu said. "Even more for light duty work, like for the post office or UPS."
The ideal consumers are targeted as people living in highly populated areas in industrialized and developing countries, Hsu said.
"Congested urban cities in developing countries have big ecological footprints," Hsu said. "The (ZEM) would mitigate their use of sustainable vehicles."
Obediah, the project manager for the steering and breaking systems, added that the ZEM could be used in numerous locales.
"It would be great on college campuses, for maintenance crews, convention centers - even hotels and golf courses," she said.
Even if pedaling a motorized vehicle may be construed as extra work, it doesn't mean that work crews are against the idea.
"I like going green," said Leroy Barnett, an SJSU building services engineer. "When it's practical and functional, I can get with it. But sometimes green can cost you money."
Hsu said the ZEM vehicle is developed to be affordable for everyone. It can be mass produced for a retail price of around $4,000 with very little maintenance needed, he added.
"I wonder how people will transition to it," said Lauren Caldwell, a senior kinesiology major. "It's an interesting idea, but I don't know if people are ready for it."
Yolanda Torres-Kirkpatrick, a junior environmental studies major, said that in the developing world, the vehicle might be more utilized.
"You see what they can do with just a bicycle," she said. "Imagine what they can do with something like this."
URBAN USAGE
Hsu said that ZEM isn't intended to replace all vehicles. Instead, it's meant to relieve heavy traffic congestion within cities and provide a greener option for off-street locations such as campuses and resorts.
"It is a great value for urban commuting," Hsu said. "Even more for light duty work, like for the post office or UPS."
The ideal consumers are targeted as people living in highly populated areas in industrialized and developing countries, Hsu said.
"Congested urban cities in developing countries have big ecological footprints," Hsu said. "The (ZEM) would mitigate their use of sustainable vehicles."
Obediah, the project manager for the steering and breaking systems, added that the ZEM could be used in numerous locales.
"It would be great on college campuses, for maintenance crews, convention centers - even hotels and golf courses," she said.
Even if pedaling a motorized vehicle may be construed as extra work, it doesn't mean that work crews are against the idea.
"I like going green," said Leroy Barnett, an SJSU building services engineer. "When it's practical and functional, I can get with it. But sometimes green can cost you money."
Hsu said the ZEM vehicle is developed to be affordable for everyone. It can be mass produced for a retail price of around $4,000 with very little maintenance needed, he added.
"I wonder how people will transition to it," said Lauren Caldwell, a senior kinesiology major. "It's an interesting idea, but I don't know if people are ready for it."
Yolanda Torres-Kirkpatrick, a junior environmental studies major, said that in the developing world, the vehicle might be more utilized.
"You see what they can do with just a bicycle," she said. "Imagine what they can do with something like this."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
nikki nahmens gage
posted 12/05/08 @ 12:51 PM PST
If it is easy to park on Main Street, I'm ready to buy it. How soon might they be available?
It is a much better concept than what I imagined in my dreams for an under $5K local-errand-car. (Continued…)
tomfeinberg
Cheap Essays
posted 4/01/09 @ 5:44 AM PST
I find this article very interesting, thanks for sharing!
Kelly Hart
Kelly Hart
posted 5/17/09 @ 9:01 AM PST
I applaud the work of this team in designing and creating a functional prototype of this ZEM. As for their claim that it is the first solar electric vehicle that can also be pedaled, they are mistaken, since I built drove a similar vehicle back in 2000. (Continued…)
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