July 2010 - Using Mules to Cut Carbon Emissions?
In the ongoing quest to cut operating costs and lower carbon footprints, governments and academia often look to all-electric or hybrid vehicles to lead the charge.
But can using gas ever be a cost-effective green choice?
Combine the low acquisition cost of a Kawasaki Mule, like the 4000 Series vehicles recently supplied by Cushman Motor Company in Minneapolis to the City of St. Paul and Macalester College, with the tiny gas usage of these vehicles (approximately one-half gallon per hour) and the math starts to look pretty good. Especially if the Mule replaces a gas or diesel guzzling older model truck.
Macalester will use its Mule for year round campus maintenance. A salt/sand spreader will be added to maintain walkways in the winter time. The City of St. Paul has a fleet of over 20 Mules used for a variety of purposes. |
