A zero-emissions electric truck could be plugging away down Jasper streets by the end of June.

Verne Balding, director of corporate and legislative services, said the province is working on a pilot project that would allow the municipality to acquire a battery-powered truck to use as its second bylaw vehicle.

Produced by Canadian Electric Vehicles Ltd., the Might-E Truck’s 72-volt, 225 A/h lead acid battery pack gives it the power to haul up to 1,000 lbs. at a top speed of about 40 km/h with a range of about 100 km.

‘The real nifty part is that energy costs are about two cents a kilometre,” Balding said. “There’s no emissions, no gasoline, you plug it in and recharge it and it makes no noise.”

The truck would be used primarily downtown for parking and traffic control and to carry barricades and temporary signs. Jasper is an ideal place for such a vehicle because it’s too slow for highway use. It’s also consistent with the town’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Though Balding thinks we’re a long way from an electric car in every driveway, it’s definitely something Balding would like to see.

“The combination of rising fuel costs and the fact that fuel is a finite resource makes it pretty apparent that alternatives to gasoline-driven vehicles are something we should all be looking at,” he said.