Ideanomics, a global company focused on accelerating the commercial adoption of electric vehicles (EV), has announced that manufacturing has begun on 18 zero-emission street sweepers featuring US Hybrid’s electric and hybrid electric propulsion kits. The California-based Global Environmental Products (GEP) will manufacture and deliver the sweepers to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in the coming weeks.
These street sweepers, which will feature US Hybrid’s electric and hybrid electric propulsion technology, will be capable of sweeping more than 16,000 miles of diverse highways in deserts, mountains, and urban environments stretching across the state, says the manufacturer. They will provide significant environmental benefits, including the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions, toxic pollution from burning fossil fuels, and a significant reduction in noise pollution.
The zero-emission street sweepers will play an important role in helping cities achieve their climate goals faster, as a single diesel-powered sweeper emits 90 tonnes of carbon emissions into the atmosphere over its lifecycle. Electrifying Caltrans’ entire fleet, which currently operates around 160 street sweepers, will keep more than 14,400t of greenhouse gas emissions out of the atmosphere over the lifecycle, delivering the same climate benefits as keeping about 33,000 barrels of oil in the ground.
US Hybrid manufactures its electric and hybrid electric propulsion kits in Torrance, California, while GEP also manufactures all its sweepers in the state. Since acquiring US Hybrid in 2021, Ideanomics has strengthened the company’s management team and provided resources to enable US Hybrid to keep pace with growing demand for its industry-leading electric powertrains and fuel cell systems. US Hybrid has formed a strategic partnership with Toyota Tsusho North America to convert port equipment to zero-emission, and with OEMs to develop zero-emission, hydrogen-powered buses.
