The City of South Pasadena, Calif. recently purchased its first-ever electric vehicle, the ZEUS 305 from Phoenix Motorcars LLC. The bus debuted in the city’s annual Fourth of July Parade and is consistently used by the Dial-A-Ride program, ever since.

On a daily basis it shuttles seniors to and from their medical appointments, in addition to their leisurely activities, such as shopping, aerobics classes, and luncheons. Additionally, it provides a quiet and comfortable ride for seniors during special excursions.

“The City of South Pasadena, Dial-A-Ride is pleased to have this new vehicle as part of its fleet,” Director of Community Services Sheila Pautsch, stated. “As the first city in the nation to be recognized by the American Green Zone Alliance, I am pleased that we can continue to protect and preserve the environment while providing reliable service to our constituents. The city is committed to its residents and environmental conservation and is pleased this bus is able to serve both. I look forward to adding more electric vehicles to its fleet.”

Equipped with a wheelchair lift and ramp meeting ADA specifications, and offering up to 100 miles range on a full charge, the ZEUS 305 bus is well-suited to meet the special requirements of senior citizens, providing curb-to-curb pickup and drop-off services.

“Phoenix Motorcars is driven by the mission to delivery cutting edge transportation solutions with minimal impact on our environment. It’s an honor to see our products being pressed into the service for the senior citizens of our communities” said Mr. Emad Fakhoury, CEO of Phoenix Motorcars.

With the California Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) program offering up to $100,000 in incentives per bus, the incremental cost of acquiring the zero emission shuttle bus is minimal. The fast-charging capability allows for the vehicle to be fully charged in less than three hours. The shuttle is expected to reduce more than 60 tons of carbon dioxide every year as compared to a conventional diesel shuttle.