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Xanterra to Operate Green Fleet in Death Valley National Park

Xanterra Parks & Resorts – an operator of lodges, restaurants, and other concessions at national and state parks and resorts throughout the U.S. -- has received 12 zero-emissions, low-speed vehicles for use at its facilities in Death Valley National Park.

a href=http://www.greenbiz.com/frame/1.cfm?targetsite=http://www.xanterra.com>… Parks & Resorts – an operator of lodges, restaurants, and other concessions at national and state parks and resorts throughout the U.S. -- has received 12 zero-emissions, low-speed vehicles for use at its facilities in Death Valley National Park.

The vehicles, which are two- and four-seat Ford THINK models, were donated by Ford motor company and awarded to Xanterra as part of the National Park Foundation’s Proud Partners of National Parks program.

Xanterra says it will use the vehicles for guest transportation, housekeeping, maintenance, and security purposes at its Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort, and Stovepipe Wells Village.

“Many of our visitors come to this park for solitude and quiet reflection, and these quiet vehicles will help ensure that we do nothing to disrupt their experiences,” said Cal Jepson, general manager of Xanterra Parks & Resorts operation in Death Valley National Park. “The vehicles also provide us with a prime interpretive opportunity for launching discussions of alternative transportation with our visitors.”

Designed for commutes on speed-limited roads, at resorts and on golf courses, the vehicles have a range of 30 miles per charge and a top speed of 25 miles per hour. Vehicles can be recharged in about six hours.

Xanterra has initiated alternative transportation programs in other parks where it has operations as well. At Yellowstone National Park, the company replaced all rental snowmobiles and boat engines with cleaner-burning four-stroke engines last year. At Grand Canyon National Park Xanterra completed a retrofit of 20 in-park tour buses with new hydrous alcohol injection systems that result in 70% cleaner emissions and 20% better fuel efficiency.

Ford has donated 500 zero-emission vehicles to the Proud Partners of National Parks program, to be distributed to state and national parks throughout California.

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