DCNR Uses Electric Motorcycles At Presque Isle, Delaware Canal State Parks To Reduce Carbon Footprint

On November 26, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced electric motorcycles are in use as part of public safety and operations at two state parks in Pennsylvania.

“Electric motorcycles add to efforts to focus on the responsible use of agency resources and promotion of sustainable best practices,” Dunn said. “They are being used by rangers as they patrol the parks. The motorcycles are quiet so they don’t disturb visitors enjoying nature, and energy efficient.”

The motorcycles are being piloted at Presque Isle State Park in Erie-- the most visited of Pennsylvania’s state parks, and the 60-mile long Delaware Canal State Park in southeastern Pennsylvania.

At Delaware Canal, the motorcycles will be used year round depending on the weather, at Presque Isle operation will begin again in the spring.

The vehicles are Zero Motorcycles. The have a range of about 110 miles, and cost about $1.50 to charge.

The two motorcycles combined will reduce carbon emissions equal to the carbon sequestration of about 17-acres of forests each year, reducing carbon dioxide emissions equal to more than 15,000 pounds of coal burned.

DCNR has 20 energy efficient vehicles and four hybrid electric vans in its fleet.

Greening the fleet is part of a department sustainability initiative that aims to reduce the amount of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere and decrease fuel costs, while increasing DCNR’s energy independence.

For more information about DCNR’s sustainable practices visit the DCNR website.
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