The EV before Tesla and Dulevo D.Zero2
Many people remember the old electric milk floats, quietly delivering milk bottles to the doorstep in the early hours, but electric vehicles have been around a lot longer than you might think. It all started in the 1830s in Scotland when the first ‘horseless carriage’ was invented by Robert Anderson, long before petrol power.
An electric train followed in Aberdeen in 1841, but this amazing ‘devil’ machine, called Galvani, was destroyed by railway workers, who saw it as a threat to their jobs, tending steam powered engines.
More innovations in the EV industry followed and by the early 1900s, there was a fleet of electric taxi cabs operating in New York and London.
It seemed like the rise of electric vehicles was unstoppable.
Racing to the top
In Paris, 1899, a torpedo shaped electric racing car (called ‘La Jamais Contente’ or ‘The Never Satisfied’) was the first to break the 60mph barrier. Yet, it was all to come to an end as the mass production methods of the Model T Ford, with its internal combustion engine, made petrol cars affordable.
The EV industry was simply doomed by cheap oil.
Fast forward to today; oil is expensive and unsustainable so the electric car industry has risen again.
The Tesla Model S can zoom from zero to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and it has a top speed of 149 mph. Electric vehicles are fast! The Tesla brand has transformed the image of electric cars and is, arguably, the aspirational car brand of the 21st century.
EV on the moon
In the moon’s airless environment, an electric vehicle was the obvious choice for NASA’s Apollo 15 mission in 1971. Four Lunar Roving Vehicles were built, costing an eye watering $38 million. Lightweight and foldable, in order to fit inside the Apollo, the ‘moon buggy’ was seen by millions and 3 LRVs are still parked up there!
Back down to earth, the EV was set to go from strength to strength as the 21st century approached.
The future is electric: the D.Zero2
Welcome to the first all-electric street sweeper, the D.Zero2, manufactured by the renowned Italian company Dulevo and offered by Lincoln Cleaning Technology in the UK. Quiet, efficient and cheap to run, electric vehicles are perfect for street sweeping and cleaning.
Now in its third generation, the D.Zero2 is equipped with a completely new and improved vacuum system and the latest innovations in batteries and motors for effective cleaning performance.
“High levels of cleaning and hygiene performance, low environmental impact and clean air: these are the values of Dulevo.”
Faster charging
It’s fast and it’s green.
With a top speed of 40mph, the D.Zero2’s electric motors are more energy efficient and the Combo version allows AC charging (charging points or Wall Box) and DC charging (from external charger). AC charging on the new D.Zero2 is faster thanks to the new On-Board batteries with the latest Lithium-Ion-Phosphate cells. No fossil fuels here!
Environmentally friendly
The D.Zero2 is amazingly quiet and can be used in ECO mode so it won’t disturb the peace at night. It has zero CO2 emissions, which means we can all breathe easier. This eco friendly machine doesn’t waste water, due to its clever wastewater recycling system and its advanced filter technology guarantees total dust control. The ergonomic cab has been designed to create comfortable working conditions for operatives and it can also be monitored remotely.
You can read more about the history of Dulevo here.
For more information about the 100% electric D.Zero2 or our huge range of cleaning machines, contact us at Lincoln Cleaning Technology, your partners in floor cleaning services.
