Municipality receives its all-electric bylaw enforcement vehicle

Jasper’s new municipal bylaw enforcement vehicle is not going to win any speed or aesthetic awards, but that’s not the point.  

Topping out at 40 km/h and costing the municipality $28,450.36, the town’s Might-E-Truck will be the first all-electric vehicle on the road in the province of Alberta, according to Chris Yanitski, vehicle standards engineer for Transportation Alberta.  

Called a ‘low speed vehicle’ (LSV) for good reason, the Might-E-Truck will be restricted to driving within the footprint of the town. This is because it only meets three (lights, windshield, seatbelts) of the 40 standards dictated by the federal government for motor vehicles on roadways.  

Running extremely quietly, bylaw officers will have to watch for pedestrians and be proactive with the power-wheels style horn – which by the way, seems to complement the emasculated vehicle perfectly.  

Having the truck is part of a one-year pilot project with the province, and its use will be reevaluated at the end of the period. Verne Balding, director of Corporate and Legislative Services for the municipality attended a briefing Monday, and said if the LSV is not suited for bylaw enforcement it will be transferred to the grounds crew.  

It’s a zero emissions vehicle and the cost per kilometer, based on 2007 figures, was two cents, said Balding, which is a paltry sum compared with what is currently in use. The use of an LSV is also congruent with the community vision statement, said Balding, which “says that Jasper will be a model environmental community.”  

Although not a stylish or ego-affirming ride, the Might-E-Truck is equipped with a CD player so the bylaw enforcement officers can at least listen to ‘Born to be Wild’ while cruising Connaught Drive pretending they have a 357 under the hood.